Dr. Andtbacka on Optimal Use of T-VEC in Melanoma

Robert Andtbacka, MD, associate professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery at the University of Utah School of Medicine, discusses the optimal use of talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC; Imlygic) in patients with melanoma.

As reported in the OPTiM study, the trial that led to the FDA approval of T-VEC, the agent was found to elicit more responses in the population of patients with regional disease. This is an underserved area, Andtbacka explains, as several clinical trials do not include patients with this disease stage.

This demonstrates that oncolytic immunotherapy agents, such as T-VEC, are effective in these patients. However, it should be recognized that other checkpoint inhibitors also have activity in this population, although there has never been a head-to-head comparison of them to T-VEC, he adds.