| Drug Name: |
Talimogene laherparepvec |
| Applications: |
This medication is a genetically modified oncolytic viral therapy indicated for the local treatment of unresectable, cutaneous, subcutaneous, and nodal lesions in patients with melanoma recurrent after initial surgery. Elsewhere, the EMA notes that the agent is indicated for the treatment of adults with unresectable melanoma that is regionally or distantly metastatic (Stage IIIB, IIIC, and IVM1a) with no bone, brain, lung, or other visceral diseases. |
| Examples of Clinical Use: |
Melanoma recurrent |
| Pharmacodynamics: |
The product has been genetically modified to replicate within tumors and to produce the immune stimulatory protein GM-CSF (granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor). The medication causes lysis of tumors, followed by the release of tumor-derived antigens, which together with virally derived GM-CSF may promote an anti-tumor immune response in the body. |
| Mechanism of action: |
Talimogene laherparepvec is an oncolytic immunotherapy that is derived from Herpes Simplex Virus type-1 (HSV-1). It has been modified to replicate within tumor cells and to produce the immune response stimulatory protein, human GM-CSF (granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor). The medication causes the death of tumor cells and the release of tumor-derived antigens. It is believed that together with GM-CSF, talimogene laherparepvec can promote a systemic anti-tumor immune response and an effector T-cell response. Mice subjects involved in talimogene laherparepvec treatment studies that had complete regression of their primary tumors following therapy were resistant to subsequent tumor rechallenge. |
| Affected organisms: |
Humans and other mammals |
| Targets: |
Target 1. Heparan sulfate; Target 2. DNA polymerase catalytic subunit; Target 3. DNA polymerase catalytic subunit |
