ASP1012 + pembrolizumab

ASP1012 + pembrolizumab is a combination of an investigational oncolytic immunotherapeutic virus (ASP1012) and an immune checkpoint inhibitor (pembrolizumab) under clinical investigation for patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors. ASP1012 is a double-stranded DNA oncolytic vaccinia virus encoding a leptin-interleukin 2 fusion protein, designed for intravenous administration to selectively replicate in and destroy cancer cells, while enhancing anti-tumor immunity through its transgene payload. Pembrolizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), blocking inhibitory signaling on T cells and thus promoting anti-tumor immune responses. This combination aims to synergistically kill tumor cells: ASP1012 directly lyses tumor cells and stimulates local immune activation, while pembrolizumab releases brakes on T cell immunity, with the goal of greater efficacy than either agent alone. Developed and sponsored by Astellas Pharma in collaboration with KaliVir Immunotherapeutics, the combination is currently under phase 1 clinical evaluation for solid tumors, including colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, melanoma, and ovarian cancer[2][4][6].

Other names

ASP1012 + KeytrudaASP1012 + MK-3475