OH2 + pembrolizumab

OH2 + pembrolizumab is an investigational combination therapy comprised of **OH2**, an oncolytic virus, and **pembrolizumab**, a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor monoclonal antibody (marketed as Keytruda). OH2 is a genetically engineered herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) designed as an oncolytic virotherapy that selectively infects and destroys tumor cells, resulting in immunogenic cell death and recruitment of immune responses against the tumor. Pembrolizumab works by blocking the PD-1 receptor on T cells, thus inhibiting tumor-induced immune suppression and enhancing T cell anti-tumor activity. The combination is under clinical investigation to assess if the tumor-lysing effect of the oncolytic virus can further prime the immune system to enhance responses to PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor therapy, with a primary indication in solid tumors such as advanced melanoma and head and neck cancer.

Other names

OH2OH-2OH 2Keytruda