Seetharam, ­Mahesh

Background/Objectives: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy is an important option for patients with metastatic melanoma progressing after standard systemic therapy, but real-world data on treatment delivery, toxicity monitoring, and immune recovery remain limited. We evaluated clinical outcomes, treatment tolerance, immune reconstitution, and cardiac biomarker dynamics across three Mayo Clinic sites. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed adults with metastatic melanoma who received lymphodepleting chemotherapy followed by TIL infusion and high-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) between April 2024 and December 2025. Clinical outcomes, treatment delivery, and adverse events were assessed. Longitudinal immune monitoring included CD4 and CD8 T-cell counts, CD4:CD8 ratio, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) at baseline and follow-up. In a prespecified cardiac sub-cohort, high-sensitivity troponin (hs-Tn) was measured during IL-2 administration to evaluate associations with cardiac events and IL-2 interruption. Results: Thirty-six patients underwent TIL infusion. The objective response rate was 50.0%, including complete responses in 13.9%, and the disease control rate was 72.2%. Median progression-free survival was 3.61 months, and median overall survival was 12.94 months. M1d disease was associated with inferior overall survival on univariable analysis (HR 6.55, 95% CI 2.03–21.17; p = 0.002), with attenuation after multivariable adjustment. Receipt of ≥3 IL-2 doses was associated with longer overall survival on univariable analysis (HR 0.20, 95% CI 0.06–0.64; p = 0.007), but this association also attenuated after adjustment. Longitudinal immune monitoring demonstrated persistent CD4 lymphopenia through 6 months, sustained inversion of the CD4:CD8 ratio, and declining IgG at months 3 and 6. In the cardiac sub-cohort (24 patients; 87 IL-2 doses), post-dose hs-Tn ≥15 ng/L was associated with clinically significant cardiac events (OR 9.6, 95% CI 1.5–60.6; p = 0.016) and IL-2 interruption (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.1–10.7; p = 0.036). For cardiac events, hs-Tn ≥15 ng/L had 100% sensitivity and 100% negative predictive value. Conclusions: In routine practice, TIL therapy was feasible and active in metastatic melanoma. M1d disease identified a subgroup with poor survival, peri-dose hs-Tn showed promise as a tool to support safer IL-2 delivery, and prolonged CD4 suppression with IgG decline suggests that recovery after TIL therapy extends beyond initial hematologic reconstitution. These findings support prospective validation of biomarker-guided IL-2 monitoring and extended post-treatment immune surveillance.

e23554 Background: Radiographic imaging remains the standard of care for disease surveillance and response assessment in soft tissue sarcoma (STS). Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has emerged as a potential biomarker in solid tumors; however, its feasibility and detectability in STS remain incompletely defined due to histologic heterogeneity and variable tumor DNA shedding. We evaluated ctDNA detectability and its relationship to radiographic disease status in the most common STS subtypes: undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) and leiomyosarcoma (LMS). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with UPS or LMS who underwent serial ctDNA testing using a personalized assay (Signatera) alongside routine radiographic surveillance between 2022 and 2025. Any detectable mean tumor molecules (MTM) >0 was considered positive. ctDNA results were paired with the closest imaging within ±30 days and assessed using radiology report–based determinations of disease status. Exploratory sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were estimated per paired assessment using radiographic progression or recurrence as the reference standard. Results: 13 patients were included (7 female, 6 male), with a median age of 62 years (range 28–75); 7 patients (54%) had LMS and 6 (46%) had UPS. A total of 59 ctDNA–imaging paired assessments were analyzed (median 4 per patient). Overall ctDNA detectability was low and histology-dependent. Baseline ctDNA was detectable in 2 of 13 patients (15%), both with LMS. During longitudinal follow-up, ctDNA remained persistently undetectable in 10 of 13 patients (77%), including all UPS patients and 4 of 7 LMS patients. Detectable ctDNA occurred almost exclusively in LMS and was often observed in association with radiographic disease progression. Across all paired assessments, 46 of 59 (78%) were concordant. Discordance included false-negative ctDNA (negative ctDNA with radiographic disease/progression; n=9) and transient ctDNA positivity without immediate radiographic progression (n=4). Where longitudinal follow-up was available, subsequent ctDNA or imaging assessments frequently demonstrated eventual alignment; lead-time analysis for transient positives was limited by sample size. Using radiographic progression as the reference standard, exploratory per-pair test characteristics demonstrated a sensitivity of approximately 64%, specificity of 88%, PPV of 80%, and NPV of 77%. Conclusions: In this real-world cohort, ctDNA detectability differed by histology and was observed predominantly in LMS. When detectable, ctDNA trends often aligned with radiographic disease progression or recurrence, supporting a potential complementary role in disease monitoring for selected patients. These findings require confirmation in larger, prospective studies.

e21521 Background: Outcomes following tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy vary in real-world practice, and accessible predictors are needed to inform patient selection and timing of referral. We evaluated whether baseline disease burden, metastatic distribution, and treatment delivery factors are associated with outcomes following TIL therapy. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with metastatic melanoma treated with TIL therapy across Mayo Clinic sites (N = 27 infused). Baseline disease burden was characterized using AJCC metastatic stage and organ-specific involvement. A composite high visceral burden variable was defined as the presence of M1d disease and/or liver metastases. Bridging therapy use prior to infusion was recorded. Post-infusion IL-2 exposure was categorized as low (0-2 doses) vs. high (3-6 doses). Best overall response (BOR) was summarized using RECIST-based standard criteria. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were measured from TIL infusion and estimated using Kaplan–Meier methods with univariable Cox regression. Results: Median age at infusion was 62.0 years; 59.3% were male. Melanoma subtypes included cutaneous (81.5%) and mucosal (18.5%). Bridging therapy was used in 48.1%. Baseline metastatic stage was M1a/M1b in 18.5%, M1c in 63.0%, and M1d in 18.5%. Median follow up was 8.3 months. BOR included complete response (18.5%), partial response (37.0%), stable disease (22.2%), and progressive disease (22.2%), yielding an objective response rate of 55.6% and disease control rate of 77.8%. Patients with high visceral disease burden experienced inferior OS vs. those without high visceral burden (median 5.2 vs 13.4 months; HR 4.77, 95% CI 1.22–18.63; p = 0.014). Bridging therapy was not associated with OS or PFS. Higher post-infusion IL-2 exposure (seen in 77.8% of patients) was associated with improved OS (median 9.0 vs 3.7 months; HR 0.16, 95% CI 0.04–0.67, p = 0.005), likely reflecting early post-infusion clinical tolerance rather than a causal treatment effect. Median PFS for the cohort was 3.6 months and did not differ by IL-2 exposure ( p = 0.3), metastatic stage ( p = 0.8), bridging therapy ( p = 0.7), liver metastases ( p = 0.2), or LDH above upper limit of normal ( p = 0.1). Conclusions: The above findings are hypothesis generating and will support evaluation in larger cohort. In this real-world cohort of patients treated with TIL therapy, baseline visceral disease burden was strongly associated with survival outcomes, while bridging therapy did not compromise post-infusion efficacy among patients proceeding to infusion. Post-infusion IL-2 exposure correlated with OS and likely reflects early treatment tolerance. These readily available clinical features may inform patient counseling, referral timing, and sequencing decisions as TIL therapy enters broader clinical use.

We report the case of a woman with metastatic alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) who experienced pregnancy-associated disease progression followed by unexpected postpartum regression. Pulmonary lesions increased in size after a miscarriage and during a subsequent pregnancy, prompting consideration for systemic treatment and potential enrolment in a clinical trial evaluating a tyrosine kinase inhibitor in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor. However, baseline staging CT performed a few weeks postpartum unexpectedly demonstrated marked spontaneous regression. Because trial enrolment required Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors-defined radiographic progression, she was deemed ineligible, and no systemic therapy was initiated. Surveillance imaging over the following 2 years confirmed sustained regression and stability of residual disease in the absence of treatment. This case highlights the potential influence of pregnancy-to-postpartum physiology on tumour behaviour through hormonal, immune and angiogenic mechanisms. It also emphasises the importance of short-interval reassessment after delivery before initiation of systemic therapy in reproductive-age patients with metastatic ASPS.

9558 Background: Ipilimumab 3 mg/kg plus nivolumab 1 mg/kg (Ipi3+Nivo1) is the standard immunotherapy regimen for metastatic melanoma with brain metastases (MBM) but is associated with significant immune-related toxicity, particularly neurologic toxicity. Ipilimumab 1 mg/kg plus nivolumab 3 mg/kg (Ipi1+Nivo3) has demonstrated improved tolerability in extracranial melanoma, though comparative data in MBM are limited. We compared efficacy and toxicity of these dosing strategies in a multisite real-world cohort. Methods: We retrospectively identified patients with MBM treated with ipilimumab plus nivolumab across three Mayo Clinic sites between 2016 and 2024. Patients were classified by induction dosing as Ipi1+Nivo3 or Ipi3+Nivo1. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using log-rank tests. Best overall response (BOR) and toxicity outcomes were summarized descriptively. Results: Among 147 patients (Ipi1+Nivo3 n=32; Ipi3+Nivo1 n=115), 144 were evaluable for survival. Median age was higher in the Ipi1+Nivo3 group (69.5 vs 66.0 years); males predominated in both groups (71.9% vs 61.7%), and the cohort was predominantly White (>96%). Most patients had ECOG 0–1 in both groups (84.4% in Ipi1+ Nivo3 and 90.4% in Ipi3+Nivo1). BRAF mutation status was balanced between regimens, with approximately half of patients harboring BRAF-mutant disease (51.6% vs 53.2%). Median OS was 18.5 months (95% CI, 5.7–54.7) with Ipi1+Nivo3 versus 10.6 months (95% CI, 6.5–19.1) with Ipi3+Nivo1 (log-rank p=0.25). Two-year OS was 45.9% and 35.0%, and five-year OS was 24.5% and 19.2%, respectively. Median PFS was 7.3 months (95% CI, 1.8–10.9) versus 2.8 months (95% CI, 2.1–4.4) (log-rank p=0.16). BOR was available for 138 patients; objective response rates were 35.5% and 31.8%, respectively. 3–5 adverse events occurred in 24.1% of Ipi1+Nivo3 versus 30.5% of Ipi3+Nivo1 patients. Hospitalizations were less frequent (16.7% vs 36.1%), and neurologic adverse events occurred only with Ipi3+Nivo1 (11.9% vs 0%). Conclusions: In this multisite real-world MBM cohort, Ipi1+Nivo3 demonstrated comparable efficacy, numerically longer survival, and a more favorable toxicity profile compared with standard Ipi3+Nivo1. Notably, no neurologic toxicity was observed with the Ipi1+Nivo3 regimen. These findings support further prospective evaluation of lower dose ipilimumab strategies. Response and survival outcomes. Outcome Ipi1 + Nivo3 Ipi3 + Nivo1 Complete response (CR) 2 / 31 (6.5%) 8 / 107 (7.5%) Partial response (PR) 9 / 31 (29.0%) 26 / 107 (24.3%) Objective response rate (ORR = CR+PR) 11 / 31 (35.5%) 34 / 107 (31.8%) Disease control rate (DCR = CR+PR+SD) 18 / 31 (58.1%) 51 / 107 (47.7%) Median PFS, months (95% CI) 7.3 (1.8–10.9) 2.8 (2.1–4.4) 2-year PFS 27.6% 22.3% Median OS, months (95% CI) 18.5 (5.7–54.7) 10.6 (6.5–19.1) 2-year OS 45.9% 35.0% 5-year OS 24.5% 19.2%

9510 Background: Although acute toxicities associated with adoptive cellular therapy using lifileucel are well described and largely occur within the first 2 weeks of treatment, adverse events beyond this early window remain incompletely characterized. We sought to characterize treatment-related adverse events (AEs) with emphasis on those starting or persisting ≥2 weeks after lifileucel infusion. Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter study across three centers (Moffitt Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Mayo Clinic). Patients with advanced melanoma treated with lifileucel were included. The primary endpoint was incidence and characterization of AEs occurring or persisting ≥2 weeks after standard of care lifileucel infusion. Results: Among 79 patients (median follow-up 11 months [95% CI, 9.6–15]), median age was 63 years (range 30–79), 59% were male (n = 47), 41% were female (n = 32), and ECOG PS was 0–1 in 98%. Patients received a median of 5 IL-2 doses (range 0–6). Of 79 patients, 78 experienced treatment-related adverse events that either persisted or occurred >2 weeks after cell infusion. A total of 308 delayed treatment-related adverse events were identified; 96 were new events (31%) and 212 (69%) were continued toxicities that started < 2 weeks after cell infusion. Lymphopenia was the most common delayed or persistent toxicity, occurring in a majority of patients (n = 68/79, 86%). Treatment-associated anemia (n = 59/79, 75%), fatigue (n = 56/79, 71%) and thrombocytopenia (n = 24/79, 30%) were also common. Viral infections occurred in 9.0% (n = 7), including CMV/EBV viremia (n = 1) and respiratory or gastrointestinal viral infections (metapneumovirus, parainfluenza, SARS-CoV-2, and norovirus). Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) occurred in 2 patients (n = 2/79, 3%) and was fatal in both cases. No other toxicity related deaths were noted. Autoimmune toxicities directly attributable to TIL included vitiligo in 9% (n = 7; median onset 41 days), uveitis in 5% (n = 4; median onset 26 days), and sensorineural hearing loss in 1% (n = 1; onset 28 days). All patients underwent TIL infusion in the inpatient setting; a total of 14 of 79 patients (18%) were re-admitted after discharge due to treatment-related toxicity (median time from infusion 19 days). Conclusions: In this multicenter real-world cohort, toxicities persisting beyond two weeks were largely driven by lymphodepleting chemotherapy–associated immunosuppression and cytopenias. These findings highlight the importance of structured post-discharge monitoring and support ongoing efforts to de-intensify lymphodepleting chemotherapy to improve safety while maintaining clinical benefit.

9551 Background: Lymphodepleting (LD) chemotherapy is required prior to tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, yet the depth, kinetics, and completeness of peripheral T-cell recovery in practice remain poorly defined. Using a pooled, multi-institution cohort, we characterized longitudinal CD4 and CD8 T-cell reconstitution and the prevalence of CD4 lymphopenia following TIL therapy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter study across Mayo Clinic, Moffitt Cancer Center, and Massachusetts General Hospital of patients with metastatic melanoma treated with TIL (N = 41, median follow-up 7.6 months). Absolute CD4 and CD8 T-cell counts and CD4:CD8 ratios were assessed at baseline (pre-LD), week 4, month 3, and month 6 post-TIL. Clinically significant CD4 lymphopenia was defined as CD4 < 200 cells/µL. All patients received Pneumocystis jirovecii and antiviral prophylaxis, with antibacterial and antifungal prophylaxis administered per institutional protocols. Post-TIL infections were recorded. Paired changes from baseline were evaluated using Wilcoxon signed-rank testing. Results: Median age was 65 years (range 35-79), and 68% were male. At baseline, 16 patients (39%) had CD4 counts below the institutional lower limit of normal prior to LD. Eighteen patients (44%) received bridging therapy prior to TIL and had lower baseline CD4 and CD8 counts compared with those who did not ( p < 0.05 for both); however, post-TIL CD4 and CD8 recovery trajectories did not differ between groups. CD4 counts declined sharply following LD and demonstrated incomplete and heterogeneous recovery. Median CD4 decreased from 490 cells/µL at baseline to 250 at week 4, 290 at month 3, and 220 at month 6, remaining significantly below baseline at all post-TIL timepoints ( p < 0.05). Clinically significant CD4 lymphopenia was observed in 45% (10/22) of evaluable patients at month 3 and in 50% (44%, 7/16) at month 6. In contrast, CD8 counts increased early after TIL (median 240 to 590 cells/µL at week 4; p = 0.004) and remained higher than baseline at month 6. The CD4:CD8 ratio inverted from a median of 2.02 at baseline to 0.46 at week 4 and remained below 1.0 through month 6, reflecting sustained CD4 suppression despite CD8 recovery. Post-TIL infections occurred despite widespread prophylaxis, including bacterial (13%), viral (10%), and fungal (4.9%) infections. Conclusions: In a multi-institution cohort, LD chemotherapy preceding TIL is associated with profound and prolonged CD4 T-cell suppression, persistent CD4:CD8 inversion, and a high prevalence of CD4 < 200 cells/µL through 6 months. These findings identify delayed immune reconstitution as a common and clinically relevant consequence of TIL therapy and support prospective optimization of antimicrobial prophylaxis duration, vaccination timing, and immune monitoring strategies.

Abstract Background: High-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) is administered after tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) infusion to promote in-vivo expansion and persistence, yet optimal dosing and the clinical significance of out-of-specification (OOS) TIL products remain unclear. We investigated the impact of number of infused IL-2 doses and manufacturing OOS status on outcomes in metastatic melanoma treated with commercial TIL therapy. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 31 patients treated across three Mayo Clinic sites. Planned IL-2 was 600,000 IU/kg every 12 hours for ≤6 doses; actual dosing varied based on clinical tolerance. Patients were grouped as low (0-2) vs high (≥3) IL-2 doses. TIL products were classified as within-specification or OOS per commercial release criteria. Survival associations were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression. Results: In our 31-patient cohort, the median age was 59 years (range 17-77), 58% were male, and 84% had ECOG 0. At TIL infusion, M-stage distribution was M1a 6%, M1b 10%, M1c 61%, and M1d 23%. LDH was elevated above the upper limit of normal in 42%. The median number of IL-2 infusions was 4 (range 0-6); 58% of patients received ≥3 doses, while 2 patients (6%) received none. Out-of-specification (OOS) TIL products occurred in 6 patients (19%). Best responses included complete response (26%) and partial response (23%), for an overall response rate of 48% and a disease-control rate of 61% (CR + PR + SD). Among responders, the median duration of response was 84 days (95% CI 73-95). At data cutoff, the median follow-up was 253 days (95% CI 137-370). The most common grade 3/4 toxicities occurring &gt;14 days after TIL infusion were lymphopenia (39%), anemia (16%), and thrombocytopenia (10%). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 99 days (95% CI 73-125) with 20 progression events, and median overall survival (OS) was 193 days (95% CI 32-354) with 13 deaths. Number of infused IL-2 doses was dependent on patients tolerability. Receiving ≥3 IL-2 doses was associated with improved overall survival (394 vs 101 days; p &lt; 0.001) and a trend toward longer progression-free survival (110 vs 59 days; p = 0.055). OOS products predicted inferior PFS (30 vs 110 days; p = 0.003) and showed a trend toward worse OS (120 vs 394 days; p = 0.079). In multivariate analysis, ≥3 IL-2 doses independently improved PFS (HR 0.20, 95% CI 0.06-0.69; p = 0.011) and OS (HR 0.09, 0.02-0.36; p = 0.001), while OOS status increased risk of progression (HR 8.10, 2.24-29.25; p = 0.001) and death (HR 6.16, 1.35-28.20; p = 0.019). Conclusions: Higher number of infused doses IL-2 and meeting commercial TIL release criteria were independently associated with improved outcomes. Citation Format: Mohamed A. Aboelatta, Jeffrey E. Johnson, Jabra G. Zarka, Matyáš Benada, James W. Jakub, Roxana S. Dronca, Ruqin Chen, Mahesh Seetharam, Deepti Behl, Svetomir N. Markovic, Lisa A. Kottschade, Heather N. Montane, Matthew S. Block, Anastasios Dimou, Robert R. McWilliams, Paula Gill, Yi Lin, Arkadiusz Z. Dudek. Impact of number of IL-2 infusions and product out of specification status on outcomes of tumor infiltrating lymphocyte therapy for melanoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 3706.

Abstract Background: Melanoma brain metastases (MBM) represent a biologically distinct and clinically aggressive subset of melanoma. Comprehensive molecular characterization focused on intracranial disease remains limited. We aimed to define the genomic landscape of MBM and compare these findings with public melanoma datasets. Methods: We retrospectively identified 166 patients with histologically confirmed MBM across Mayo Clinic tri-sites (2011-2025). Molecular testing was performed in 123 patients (74.1%). Comprehensive next-generation sequencing (NGS; ≥300-gene platforms including Tempus, FoundationOne, Caris, NeoGenomics, and MayoComplete Solid Tumor Panel) was available in 41 patients (24.7%). Intermediate-depth profiling using the MayoComplete Melanoma Panel (17 genes) was performed in 21 patients (12.7%), and a targeted 5-gene melanoma driver panel (BRAF, NRAS, KIT, GNAQ, GNA11) in 52 patients (31.3%). cfDNA-based NGS was available in 12 patients (7.2%). Genomic alterations were summarized and benchmarked against TCGA-SKCM and MSK-IMPACT datasets via cBioPortal. We considered assay heterogeneity, as Mayo panels varied in sequencing depth and CNV coverage, and hybrid-capture platforms often under-detect TERT promoter hotspots. Results: Patients had a median age of 67 years, and 63% were male. BRAF mutations occurred in 48.8% (BRAF V600E/K 41.6%; non-V600 7.2%). Additional MAPK alterations included NRAS (17.5%), KIT (5.4%), GNAQ (1.2%), and GNA11 (0.6%). In the comprehensive NGS subset, tumor-suppressor alterations included CDKN2A (17.5%), PTEN (7.8%), NF1 (9.0%), TP53 (8.4%), and TERT promoter mutations (22.9%). Median TMB was 11.55 mut/Mb (IQR 5.0-25.5). Co-alterations included BRAF+CDKN2A (7.2%), BRAF+PTEN (4.2%), NRAS+CDKN2A (4.2%), NRAS+PTEN (1.2%), and CDKN2A+PTEN (3.6%); overall, 18.1% harbored MAPK driver + tumor-suppressor co-alterations. Compared with TCGA and MSK cohorts, MBM showed similar MAPK driver frequencies but fewer MAPK + tumor-suppressor co-alterations and lower CDKN2A, PTEN, and TP53 disruption, alongside a more prevalent of TERT promoter mutations (22.9% vs 7% and 2.1%), which may partly reflect coverage differences. Conclusion: MBM exhibit a distinct genomic profile characterized by reduced tumor-suppressor loss, fewer MAPK-tumor-suppressor co-alterations, and higher prevalence of TERT promoter mutations. While assay heterogeneity limits direct cross-cohort comparisons, these patterns suggest potentially distinct biological features of intracranial melanoma and underscore the need for harmonized, MBM-specific molecular studies to guide therapeutic development. Citation Format: Dina Elantably, Joseph B. Parker, Jakob Hamilton, Ahmed Abdelhakeem, Oluwatayo Adeoye, Saivaishnavi Kamatham, Winston Tan, Arkadiusz Z. Dudek, Anastasios Dimou, Matthew S. Block, Robert McWilliams, Svetomir Markovic, Mahesh Seetharam, Roxana Dronca, Ruqin Chen. Genomic landscape of melanoma brain metastases: Real-world analysis and comparison with public melanoma cohorts [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 2107.