Innate and adaptive immunity contribute to the anti-tumor mechanisms of action of OncoVEXmGM-CSF.

Background Talimogene laherparepvec, an investigational oncolytic immunotherapy, is a modified herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) designed to selectively replicate in tumors and to initiate a systemic immune response to target cancer cells. Intralesional administration of talimogene laherparepvec is intended to result in oncolysis within injected tumors, with lytic cell destruction promoting the local release of progeny virus and tumor derived antigens. GM-CSF, a product of the viral transgene, is also produced locally such that it can recruit and stimulate antigen presenting cells to further enhance systemic anti-tumor immune response.