In a move to tackle the leading gynecological cancers in Taiwan, Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH) and YJ. Biotechnology signed a strategic alliance agreement on the 11th. The two parties will co-establish a cell therapy laboratory to develop Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) therapy, a highly challenging form of immunotherapy.

While the five-year survival rate for early-diagnosed Type I endometrial cancer exceeds 80%, Type II or recurrent cases often have a prognosis below 20%. Dr. Lin Yi-hsin, Director of Gynecologic Oncology at TSGH, noted that TILs therapy is highly anticipated because it utilizes polyclonal infiltrating T cells isolated directly from the patient’s own tumor tissue—essentially a "natural immune army" that recognizes individual cancer cells and overcomes tumor heterogeneity.

Following the US FDA’s 2024 approval of the first TILs therapy for melanoma, research is expanding to cervical, head and neck, and lung cancers. Dr. Carlos Wu, General Manager of YJ. Biotechnology, emphasized that the technical threshold for TILs is extremely high, particularly in isolating active lymphocytes and ensuring stable expansion. With the "Two Acts of Regenerative Medicine" taking effect next year, this partnership aims to bridge the gap between R&D, clinical trials, and advanced cell manufacturing.

Resource: 三軍總醫院攜手亞家生技 推動婦癌TILs療法