Promising New Treatment for Advanced Melanoma Combines Immunotherapy and Oncolytic Virus

Strategic Insights -

A clinical trial led by Dr. Michael Wong, a physician at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, has shown promising results in treating advanced melanoma with a combination of RP1, an oncolytic virus, and nivolumab (Opdivo), an immunotherapy medication. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, found that the treatment resulted in a 32.9% overall response rate, with 15% of patients experiencing a complete response, and a median duration of response of 33.7 months.

Key Takeaways:

  • The combination therapy of RP1 and nivolumab produced an overall response rate of 32.9%, with 15% of patients experiencing a complete response.
  • The median duration of response was 33.7 months, with overall survival rates of 75.3% at one year and 63.3% at two years.
  • The treatment was well tolerated, with a low incidence of significant side effects.
  • The study enrolled 140 patients with advanced melanoma who had not responded to previous treatment with an anti-PD-1 immunotherapy.
  • The research team involved international partners from the US, the UK, France, and Spain.
  • The study provides evidence that the combination of intratumoral RP1 and intravenous nivolumab is effective in patients with advanced melanoma resistant to initial treatment with conventional immunotherapy.

Statistics:

  • 32.9% overall response rate to the combination therapy of RP1 and nivolumab.
  • 15% of patients experienced a complete response with no evidence of disease.
  • Median duration of response was 33.7 months.
  • Overall survival rates were 75.3% at one year and 63.3% at two years.

Sources:

  • "New Search for a Cure for Cancer" (Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Press Release, August 18).
  • Journal of Clinical Oncology (Dr. Michael Wong et al., 2022).
  • Replimune Group Inc. (biotechnology company sponsoring the study).