NorthWest Biotherapeutics Inc (NWBO)

[Lykiri]

Lots of media attention today for the results of a Phase 1/2 clinical trial investigating the safety and effectiveness of a novel therapy that combines the injection of an oncolytic virus – a virus that targets and kills cancer cells – directly into the tumor, with intravenous immunotherapy. (Oncolytic DNX-2401 virotherapy plus pembrolizumab in recurrent glioblastoma: a phase 1/2 trial)

The results, published in Nature Medicine, show that this combination therapy is safe, well tolerated and prolongs patient survival. The therapy had no major unexpected adverse effects and yielded a median survival of 12.5 months—considerably longer than the six to eight months typically seen with existing therapies.

The patients in the trial did not have tumor resection at recurrence – only injection of the virus through a small hole and a purpose-built catheter. Then, patients received an anti-PD-1 antibody intravenously, every three weeks, starting one week after surgery.

A new paper published in @NatureMedicine by Drs. @gelarehzadeh and @FarshadNassiri @UHN @uoftmedicine using a novel combination approach to #glioblastoma treatment shows promise, extending survival.

Learn more: https://t.co/PnmbUzfD8C#BrainTumorAwarenessMonth #Braintumor pic.twitter.com/fxkXgE2BK4

— Krembil Brain Institute (@KBI_UHN) May 15, 2023

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-023-02347-y