MVA-FCU1 + flucytosine

MVA-FCU1 + flucytosine is a combination therapy involving a genetically engineered oncolytic virus and a prodrug. MVA-FCU1 is a modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) that carries the yeast-derived FCU1 gene, which encodes two enzymes: cytosine deaminase and uracil phosphoribosyltransferase. When administered intratumorally, MVA-FCU1 infects tumor cells and expresses these enzymes locally. Flucytosine, an antifungal prodrug administered systemically or orally, is converted by the FCU1-expressing tumor cells into cytotoxic metabolites—primarily 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and 5-fluorouridine monophosphate—which induce cell death in the tumor microenvironment. This approach enables targeted chemotherapy within tumors while minimizing systemic toxicity. The primary indication under investigation has been for patients with primary or metastatic liver tumors who have no further therapeutic options[4][5].

Brand names

Ancobon (for flucytosine)

Other names

5-fluorocytosine (for flucytosine)5-FC (for flucytosine)