Phase 2 study of intratumoral oncolytic herpes virus G47Δ for residual or recurrent glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) has a poor prognosis, with a median overall survival of 20.9 months despite aggressive treatment with the current Stupp regimen of radiotherapy plus temozolomide (RT + TMZ) together with tumor-treating fields. Herpes virus G47Δ is a third-generation oncolytic HSV type 1. A phase 2 study in Japan evaluated intratumorally administration of G47Δ for residual or recurrent GBM after RT + TMZ. One-year OS rate after G47Δ administration was 84.2% (95% CI 60.4-96.6) with median OS 20.2 months (16.8-23-6) after G47Δ initiation and 28.8 months (20.1-37.5) after initial surgery. The most common G47Δ-related adverse events were fever, vomiting, nausea, lymphocytopenia, and leukopenia. The authors conclude that the study showed a survival benefit and a good safety profile of G47Δ.