Dr Sullivan on RP1 Plus Nivolumab in Anti–PD-1–Refractory Melanoma
Source: OncLive, February 2025
Ryan Sullivan, MD, director, Center for Melanoma, Massachusetts General Hospital, discusses findings from the phase 2 IGNYTE trial (NCT03767348) evaluating RP1 in combination with nivolumab (Opdivo) in patients with advanced melanoma who progressed on prior anti–PD-1 therapy.
RP1 is an oncolytic herpes simplex virus engineered to selectively infect and lyse tumor cells, releasing tumor-associated antigens and stimulating an immune response. This approach aims to activate immune cells capable of recognizing both injected and non-injected tumors. When combined with nivolumab, RP1 could enhance systemic immune activation, potentially overcoming resistance to immune checkpoint inhibition.
Sullivan notes that the trial enrolled patients with anti–PD-1–refractory melanoma, including a subset with primary resistance, defined as those who derived no initial benefit from checkpoint inhibition. Results demonstrated an objective response rate (ORR) of 33.6% by modified RECIST 1.1 criteria and 32.9% by standard RECIST 1.1 criteria per independent central review.