Herpes Virus-Immunotherapy Combo Improves Melanoma Treatment

Source: Specialty Pharmacy Times, September 2017

Melanoma is known to be a very aggressive and deadly form of skin cancer. Treatment can be challenging due to the likelihood of metastasis and drug-resistance.
A new study published by Cell shows that a combination of immunotherapy and a herpes virus could be a promising treatment for advanced melanoma.
In the 2-year study, approximately two-thirds of patients with advanced melanoma responded to a novel combination of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) plus the herpes virus talimogene laherpareovec (T-VEC). Patients in the study were resistant to monotherapy with the drugs, highlighting the efficacy of the new combination.