Abstract
Importance of the field: Immunotherapy for cancer has been investigated for several decades, achieving limited success. The development of effective new immunotherapeutic agents has reignited interest in the filed. Intralesional injection of plasmids in order to transfect genes capable of stimulating or augmenting immune recognition and destruction of tumors is a relatively new approach.
Areas covered in this review: Our objective is to discuss the role velimogene aliplasmid (Allovectin-7 (R), Vical Incorporated), a plasmid-lipid complex containing the DNA sequences encoding HLA-B7 and beta 2 microglobulin, as an immunotherapeutic agent.
What the reader will gain: Intralesional velimogene aliplasmid induces antitumor responses in a proportion of melanoma patients with locoregional and limited distant metastases. Preclinical data and the results of Phase I, II and III clinical trials with this drug are reviewed. The limited data in other malignancies is also reviewed. Velimogene aliplasmid in humans appears safe, with minimal drug-related adverse events.
Take home message: Velimogene aliplasmid has activity in melanoma with local and limited distant disease associated with an excellent safety profile. The activity of this approach is also being investigated in other malignancies.
