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Oncolytic Viruses Trigger T‑Cell Infiltration and Survival Signals in Early Glioblastoma Trials

New reports highlight blood biomarkers to flag likely responders, with interferon gamma linked to the longest survivors in early testing.

Overview

  • A Cell study from Mass General Brigham and Dana-Farber reports that a single injection of a herpes simplex–derived oncolytic virus drove durable T‑cell infiltration into glioblastoma tumors.
  • In a 41‑patient Phase I cohort with recurrent disease, survival exceeded historical expectations, with greater benefit observed in patients who had pre‑existing antiviral antibodies.
  • Treatment analyses found that cytotoxic T cells located closer to dying tumor cells correlated with longer survival after the oncolytic virus injection.
  • MD Anderson’s Clinical Cancer Research report identified blood biomarkers of immunological fitness after Delta‑24‑RGD therapy, and patients receiving subcutaneous interferon gamma were the longest survivors in the TARGET Phase I trial.
  • Investigators are testing strategies to enhance and sustain responses, including additional dosing and an ongoing trial of mesenchymal stem cell–based delivery of Delta‑24‑RGD.