Robust method for isolation of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes with a high vital cell yield from small samples of renal cell carcinomas by a new collagenase-free mechanical procedure.

Background: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) play an important role in the pathogenesis of renal cell carcinoma. Characterization of TIL requires efficient isolation procedures, especially in early stage disease when the tumor is of small in size. Conventional methods for isolating TIL are based on enzymatic tissue digestion, most frequently with collagenase.