FDA Approves Virus-Based Treatment Combination for Advanced Melanoma

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted accelerated approval to Tudriqev (vusolimogene oderparepvec-wtpg) in combination with nivolumab for adults with advanced skin melanoma that cannot be surgically removed and has progressed after treatment with a PD-1–blocking immunotherapy. Tudriqev is a genetically modified virus injected directly into tumors to break apart cancer cells and stimulate an immune response, while nivolumab is an immunotherapy that blocks the PD-1 protein.