This week, the FDA approved a new therapy called talimogene laherparepvec, which goes by the trade name, Imlygic, for the treatment of certain types of melanoma. Suzanne Topalian, M.D., professor of surgery and oncology, and director of the melanoma program at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center offered the following insights on the drug's approval:
“This approval further expands treatment options for patients with a particular profile of metastatic melanoma. Imlygic (talimogene laherparepvec) may help control melanoma that has spread to other locations in the skin and lymph nodes, which can be directly injected with the oncolytic virus. However, it has not been shown to have a significant impact on melanoma that has spread internally.”
Note: Topalian’s husband, Dr. Drew Pardoll, also of Johns Hopkins, is a consultant for Amgen, manufacturer of Imlygic.
Read more about Kimmel Cancer Center research on melanoma.