Published in:
Open Access 01-01-2019 | Original Research
Real-World Use of Talimogene Laherparepvec in German Patients with Stage IIIB to IVM1a Melanoma: A Retrospective Chart Review and Physician Survey
Published in: Advances in Therapy | Issue 1/2019
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Introduction
Talimogene laherparepvec is a first-in-class oncolytic immunotherapy for intratumoral injection with proven efficacy and tolerability in patients with unresectable early metastatic melanoma (stage IIIB–IVM1a) in the pivotal phase III OPTiM study. The objective was to characterize melanoma patients treated with talimogene laherparepvec in routine clinical practice in Germany.
Methods
A retrospective chart review was conducted in unresectable stage IIIB–IVM1a melanoma patients. Data on demographics, disease and medical history, and use of talimogene laherparepvec were collected. A survey was also conducted to understand physician treatment decisions.
Results
Data for 27 patients who initiated talimogene laherparepvec between June 2016 and July 2017 were analyzed (median age 68; stage IIIB/C disease 56%). All patients had prior surgery, and over half had repeated resections for recurrent disease (median 3). Overall, 48% of patients received at least one prior local treatment, mainly radiation therapy or electrochemotherapy. Talimogene laherparepvec was first-line systemic therapy in 63% of patients. The most frequent prior systemic treatment was immunotherapy (7/27 patients). At end of follow-up, 13 patients were still on talimogene laherparepvec and 14 patients had discontinued treatment. Among those who discontinued, 8 (57%) did not receive subsequent systemic therapy. Only one patient receiving first-line talimogene laherparepvec received a subsequent systemic therapy. Three patients stopped treatment because of no remaining injectable lesions. Median treatment duration was 22.1 weeks overall and 27.9 weeks in stage IIIB/C disease patients. Nearly all cutaneous lesions (93%) were injected with talimogene laherparepvec compared to subcutaneous (83%) and nodal lesions (77%). No new safety signals were reported. The main reasons given in the physician survey for treating with talimogene laherparepvec were good tolerability, overall efficacy, and lack of contraindications.
Conclusion
Talimogene laherparepvec is now included as a routine treatment option for unresectable early metastatic melanoma in Germany. This study characterizes the first patients treated with talimogene laherparepvec in Europe and confirms the good tolerability observed in clinical trials.
Trial Registration
EUPAS registry, EUPAS17410.
Funding
Amgen Inc.