Oncolytic Virus/Immunotherapy Combination Delivers Early Survival Benefit in Melanoma
Source: Onc Live, February 2023
The preliminary efficacy and tolerability observed with vusolimogene oderparepvec (RP1) plus nivolumab (Opdivo) in patients with cutaneous melanoma signal the expansion of the use of oncolytic viruses to manage cancers that are resistant to PD-1 inhibition, according to Bartosz Chmielowski, MD.
The phase 2 IGNYTE trial (NCT03767348) is investigating RP1 with or without nivolumab in patients with advanced or metastatic non-neurologic solid tumors for whom no suitable treatment options exist. Preliminary data showed that, at a median follow-up of 9.96 months, RP1 plus nivolumab demonstrated an overall response rate (ORR) of 36% in 75 patients with melanoma who progressed on prior PD-1 inhibitors, including those with visceral disease and high tumor burden.
RP2, a derivative of RP1 that expresses additional immune-activating proteins, is also under investigation with nivolumab in a phase 1 trial (NCT04336241) in patients with uveal melanoma.