Oncolytic adenovirus VCN-01 added to chemotherapy lengthens progression-free survival in metastatic pancreatic cancer
Adding the intravenous oncolytic adenovirus VCN-01 to standard chemotherapy pushed median progression-free survival to 5.6 months from 4.6 in 101 patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Garcia-Carbonero and colleagues published the randomized phase 2b results in 2026. In the full analysis set, median overall survival was 10.8 months against 8.6 on chemotherapy alone. Circulating viral genomes pointed to ongoing replication. Patients given two doses 14 weeks apart kept second-dose bioactivity even with neutralizing antibodies present. Pyrexia and flu-like symptoms were common adverse events.
If larger trials confirm the result, repeated oncolytic virus infusions could give patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer longer-lasting responses.
Written by the Genomes desk from the primary source cited and linked above and checked against it. Research use only; not medical advice. Corrections: [email protected].