Published in:
01-07-2018 | Melanomas
Implementing a Program of Talimogene laherparepvec
Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology | Issue 7/2018
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Background
Oncolytic viruses are genetically engineered or naturally occurring viruses that selectively replicate in cancer cells without harming normal cells. Talimogene laherparepvec (Imlygic®), the first oncolytic viral therapy approved for treatment of cancer, was approved for treatment of locally advanced melanoma in October 2015.
Purpose
As a biologic product, use of T. laherparepvec in the clinical setting requires pretreatment planning and a unique systematic approach to deliver the therapy. The processes we describe herein could be adopted by other centers that choose to prescribe T. laherparepvec.
Methods
We studied our clinical trial experience with T. laherparepvec before we embarked on using commercially available T. laherparepvec. We created a standard operating procedure (SOP) with multidisciplinary buy-in and oversight from leadership in Infection Control at our institution. We reflected on clinical cases and the actual procedures of administering T. laherparepvec to create the SOP.
Results
The preimplementation planning, patient selection, identification of lesions to treat, the actual procedure, and ongoing assessment of patients are described. Tumoral-related factors that lead to unique challenges are described.
Conclusions
A process to ensure safe and responsible implementation of a program to administer T. laherparepvec for treatment of melanoma may improve the quality of treatment for patients who suffer from advanced melanoma.