ABSTRACT

This chapter presents the data on cytotoxic function, growth kinetics, and the cell-surface phenotype of interleukin-2 (IL-2)-cultured Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) obtained from solid and ascitic tumors of patients with ovarian cancer. It compares the cytotoxic activity and growth characteristics of TIL and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). The growth kinetics of IL-2-cultured TIL from various tumors was also variable and was not related to the tumor-TIL ratio. Some TIL continued to grow actively even 4 weeks after initiation of the cultures; however, at that time, the levels of cytotoxicity were quite low and thus, these cultures were discontinued. The highest levels of cytotoxicity were noted 7 d after culture with IL-2. After that time, the cytotoxic ability of TIL and PBL declined. The cytotoxic activity was mediated by lymphocytes with natural killer cell phenotype, present in a minority in TIL and PBL cultures.