Herpes Virus Therapy Shows Promise for Treating Severe Skin Cancer

Speedy summary

• RP1, a genetically modified herpes virus, shows promising results in treating advanced melanoma, a severe form of skin cancer.
• in trials involving 140 participants with advanced melanoma, RP1 was injected into tumors alongside nivolumab, an immune response-enhancing drug.
• Results: Tumors shrank in 30% of participants; in half of these cases, tumors disappeared entirely. Tumors not directly injected also showed improvement.
• Gino Kim In from the University of Southern California highlighted the effectiveness and reduced side effects compared to other treatments for late-stage melanoma patients.
• FDA decision on RP1 approval for advanced melanoma treatment is expected by the end of this month; a later-stage trial involving 400 people is ongoing.
• Modified viruses like RP1 work by directly killing cancer cells and stimulating immune responses to attack cancer across the body. They offer an alternative approach to customary therapies and enhance systemic effects against tumors.

Melanoma image