NV1020

NV1020 is a genetically engineered, multimutated, replication-competent, highly attenuated derivative of wild-type herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). It was originally developed as an HSV-2 vaccine candidate but has been repurposed as an oncolytic virus therapy for cancer. The virus contains deletions in the UL56 and UL24 genes and carries an exogenous thymidine kinase (tk) gene under the control of the ICP4 promoter, along with a fragment of HSV-2 DNA. These modifications render it less pathogenic while allowing selective replication in tumor cells. NV1020 selectively infects and lyses cancer cells—particularly those in hepatic malignancies such as colorectal cancer metastatic to the liver—while sparing normal tissue. Its mechanism involves direct oncolysis through viral replication within tumor cells, leading to cell lysis and subsequent spread to adjacent or distant tumor tissue. Clinical trials have demonstrated its safety profile and biological activity in patients with refractory liver metastases from colorectal cancer[1][5][6][8].

Other names

oncolytic HSV-1 NV1020