Oncolytic DNX-2401 virus for pediatric diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma

Pediatric patients with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) have a poor prognosis, with a median survival of less than 1 year. Oncolytic viral therapy has been evaluated in patients with pediatric gliomas elsewhere in the brain, but data regarding oncolytic viral therapy in patients with DIPG are lacking. DNX-2401 is an oncolytic adenovirus that selectively replicates in tumor cells. A pilot study in Spain found that intratumoral infusion of oncolytic virus DNX-2401 followed by radiotherapy in pediatric patients with newly diagnosed DIPG resulted in changes in T-cell activity and a reduction in or stabilization of tumor size in some patients but was associated with adverse events (quick take video summary).