Overview
Why choose this programme?
This is the first UK-focused summit dedicated solely to TIL therapy — a uniquely timely event as MHRA, NICE and NHS tender processes move towards implementation in 2026.
With a truly multidisciplinary, translational agenda, the summit offers:
- Global expertise from leaders who have pioneered TIL therapy
- A strategic perspective on integrating TIL into the UK cancer pathway
- Practical, service-level insights for teams preparing to deliver TIL
- A label-free scientific environment, backed by The Christie Charity
- Cross-sector dialogue between clinicians, scientists, researchers, policymakers and industry
If your work touches melanoma, immunotherapy, cellular therapy, service design or early phase research, this is an essential event.
Key information
Delivery type
Face-to-face (The Midland Hotel, Manchester)
Delivery style
- Lectures
- International keynote speakers
- Case studies
- Panel discussions
- Translational science sessions
Duration
1 day
Experience level
Any level, from early career to senior specialist
What to expect
Tumour-Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) therapy represents one of the most significant breakthroughs in melanoma care in decades — a highly personalised, cell-based immunotherapy approach now preparing to enter routine clinical practice in the UK.
This landmark national summit brings together UK and international leaders to explore the science, infrastructure and real-world delivery required to make TIL therapy a reality for patients. Hosted in Manchester — a leading hub for cellular therapy research, early phase trials and one of the UK’s largest melanoma services — this event offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the teams shaping the future of melanoma treatment.
Through keynote lectures, case studies, expert panels and cross-disciplinary discussion, you’ll gain a panoramic view of TIL therapy from bench to bedside, including:
- Biological rationale, biomarker development and the tumour microenvironment
- Patient selection, care pathways and MDT coordination
- Toxicity management and service readiness
- Manufacturing considerations and scale-up challenges
- National strategy, policy considerations and workforce implications
Featuring world-renowned contributors including Prof Inge Marie Svane (Copenhagen) and Dr Sebastian Klobuch (Amsterdam), this summit brings global thought leadership directly to a UK audience.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the summit, you will be able to:
- Recognise how biomarkers and the tumour microenvironment influence TIL responsiveness
- Understand the scientific principles and clinical development pathway for TIL therapy
- Identify key requirements for patient selection, toxicity management and MDT collaboration
- Explore operational, logistical and policy challenges in scaling TIL therapy across the NHS
- Understand the partnerships required between science, academia, industry and the NHS to deliver TIL safely and effectively
Who is it for?
- Clinical and scientific professionals involved in melanoma or cellular therapies, including:
- Clinical and Medical Oncologists
- Surgeons
- Haematologists
- Pathologists
- Radiologists
- Scientists and Translational Researchers
- NHS Policymakers and service leads
- Trial teams preparing for TIL delivery
How to book / learn more
Eventbrite: Unlocking TIL Therapy: A New Era for Melanoma Care in the UK
09:15 Registration
Session 1: The Evolution of TIL Therapy Chair: Dr Jonathan Lim, Clinical Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Medical Oncologist, The University of Manchester and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
10:00 Melanoma Care in 2026: Current Practice and Future Directions Prof Paul Lorigan, Professor & Honorary Consultant Medical Oncologist, The University of Manchester and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
10:25 The History and Evolution of TIL Therapy: From Bench to Bedside Prof Fiona Thistlethwaite, Consultant Medical Oncologist and Honorary Professor, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust & The University of Manchester
10:50 TIL Therapy in Melanoma: Scientific Rationale and Clinical Efficacy
Dr Jonathan Lim, Clinical Senior Lecturer & Honorary Consultant Medical Oncologist, The University of Manchester & The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
11:15 Break
Session 2: Building the TIL Therapy Pathway
Chair: Prof Paul Lorigan, Professor and Honorary Consultant Medical Oncologist, The Christie NHS Foundation
11:40 The Complex Multidisciplinary TIL Pathway: Patient Selection and Clinical Decision Making Prof Debra Josephs, Professor & Honorary Consultant Medical Oncologist, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
12:05 Tumour Procurement for TIL Therapy: Surgical Considerations and Best Practice
Mr Deemesh Oudit, Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
12:30 TIL Toxicity Management: Lymphodepletion, IL-2 and Inpatient Care
Dr Andrew Furness, Consultant Medical Oncologist, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
13:00 Lunch
Session 3: Understanding the Biology, Biomarkers and Beyond Chair: Prof Samra Turajlić, Director of Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
14:00 The Challenges of the Tumour Microenvironment in Melanoma
Dr Rebecca Lee, Clinical Senior Lecturer & Honorary Consultant Medical Oncologist, The University of Manchester & The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
14:25 Biomarkers of Response and Resistance in TIL Therapy
Dr Brent O’Carrigan, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
14:50 Ignite Lecture
Combination Therapies with TIL: An Eye to the Future
Prof Inge Marie Svane, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev
15:15 Break
Session 4: Innovating for the Future Chair: Prof Fiona Thistlethwaite, Consultant Medical Oncologist and Honorary Professor, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and The University of Manchester
15:40 Keynote Lecture- Towards Point-of-Care Manufacture and Next-Generation TIL Therapy
Dr Sebastian Klobuch, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam
16:10 Panel Discussion : Opportunities and Challenges in Delivering TIL Therapy in the UK
Dr Andrew Furness, Dr Sebastian Klobuch, Prof Fiona Thistlethwaite, Prof Inge Marie Svane
16:55 closing remarks
17:00 Networking
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