Robert Andtbacka, MD, associate professor, Division of Surgical Oncology Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, discusses past, present, and future trials investigating T-VEC in melanoma.

T-VEC was already approved as a monotherapy, but is currently in ongoing studies to be used as a combination therapy. A phase I study showed that the therapy did not increase toxicity when combined with ipilimumab, and response rate when combining the drugs was high. Another study combined pembrolizumab with T-VEC and also showed no added toxicity and a 56% response rate.

An upcoming phase III study will compare the results of pembrolizumab plus T-VEC with pembrolizumab plus an injectable suspension.

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Robert Andtbacka, MD, associate professor, Division of Surgical Oncology Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, discusses past, present, and future trials for T-VEC.

Robert Andtbacka Discusses T-VEC Trials 

Robert Andtbacka, MD, associate professor, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, discusses the management of side effects from T-VEC.

Rigors and chills are quite common, but can be managed fairly easily. If a patient experiences these side effects, Andtbacka says, a physician should premeditate him or her with Tylenol and antihistamines in future treatments. After 5-7 injections, the side effects usually go away completely.

Overall, T-VEC is very well tolerated and most patients can go to work and continue with other everyday activities.

Robert Andtbacka, MD, from University of Utah School of Medicine, discusses the management of side effects from T-VEC.

Robert Andtbacka, MD

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Robert Andtbacka Discusses T-VEC Trials

Robert Andtbacka on Managing Side Effects From T-VEC