Promising results have emerged from a phase I trial involving RP2. Researchers found that the drug – a modified version of the herpes simplex virus – showed signs of effectiveness in a quarter of patients with a range of advanced cancers, including skin, oesophageal, and head and neck cancer. These patients had exhausted conventional treatments, including checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy. Notably, three of nine patients treated solely with RP2 experienced tumor reduction, with one individual achieving complete remission from salivary gland cancer. Additionally, seven out of 30 patients who received both RP2 and nivolumab, an immunotherapy drug, also experienced favorable outcomes. The early findings were presented at the 2022 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress (ESMO); the implications suggest cancer-killing viruses could potentially offer hope to some patients where other forms of immunotherapy have not worked.
Study leader Professor Kevin Harrington, Professor of Biological Cancer Therapies at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and Consultant Oncologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“Our study shows that a genetically engineered, cancer-killing virus can deliver a one-two punch against tumours – directly destroying cancer cells from within while also calling in the immune system against them. It is rare to see such good response rates in early-stage clinical trials, as their primary aim is to test treatment safety and they involve patients with very advanced cancers for whom current treatments have stopped working."
“Our initial trial findings suggest that a genetically engineered form of the herpes virus could potentially become a new treatment option for some patients with advanced cancers – including those who haven’t responded to other forms of immunotherapy. I am keen to see if we continue to see benefits as we treat increased numbers of patients.”
Source: Institute of Cancer Research. "Genetically modified herpes virus delivers one-two punch against advanced cancers". https://www.icr.ac.uk/news-archive/genetically-modified-herpes-virus-delivers-one-two-punch-against-advanced-cancers. 22/09/22 [Date accessed: 22/09/22]
Edited by: Aditya Vinjimoor
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