T-VEC Plus Pembrolizumab Combo Shows Activity in Advanced Melanoma

Source: Cancer Network, December 2015

The combination of the attenuated oncolytic virus talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) and the immune checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab shows activity and is well tolerated by advanced melanoma patients, according to a new study presented at the Society for Melanoma Research 2015 International Congress, held November 18–21 in San Francisco.

T-VEC, recently approved for the treatment of advanced melanoma, is an oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 engineered to replicate selectively in tumor cells and express human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

A recent study showed that T-VEC in combination with ipilimumab resulted in an overall response rate of 50%, durable response rate of 44%, and tolerable safety profile in patients with advanced melanoma, said Georgina Long, BSc, PhD, MBBS, of the Melanoma Institute Australia in Sydney.