Posts Tagged ‘talimogene laherparepvec’
First cancer-killing virus approved by FDA: Talimogene laherparepvec
Posted by: adonis49 on: November 9, 2015
First cancer-killing virus approved by FDA: Talimogene laherparepvec
A modified live oncolytic herpes virus.
Significance so far is in the proof-of-concept that virus can kill cancer.
Apparently, the patients survive on average 4.4 months to their terminal illness. (So funny these accurate numbers: a few will die within a couple of days of being injected with the virus)
Most accepted cancer treatments in modern medicine come with a lot of collateral damage.
Cancer cells are simply more susceptible to radiation and chemotherapy than healthy cells because of their higher metabolism, but what if we could target cancer specifically?
This is finally becoming a reality with a new cancer-killing virus that has just been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The virus is called talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC, brand name Imlygic), and it’s programmed to seek out and destroy advanced melanoma skin cancer.


That all sounds great, but Imlygic isn’t going to instantly cure melanoma.
In a clinical study of 436 patients, Imlygic was able to extend survival by 4.4 months in those with advanced melanoma.
That’s not a dramatic improvement, but doctors believe that in combination with other treatments, the virus could have a more significant impact. This modest extension of life also comes with a hefty price tag of $65,000, at least at the moment.
The true significance of this treatment is as a proof-of-concept.
Biotechnology has reached the point that we can tailor a virus to do our dirty work for us, and the side effects are no worse than standard medications.
Other researchers are working with vaccinia (poxvirus), reovirus, and poliovirus particles as a way to eventually target other types of cancer.
Future versions of this technology might not come with the same caveats, but it’s probably still going to be pretty expensive