quaratusugene ozeplasmid + pembrolizumab

**quaratusugene ozeplasmid + pembrolizumab** is an investigational combination therapy composed of a **gene therapy vector** (quaratusugene ozeplasmid, a non-replicating plasmid encoding human interleukin-12, IL-12) and **pembrolizumab** (a fully humanized monoclonal antibody against the programmed cell death protein 1, PD-1). Quaratusugene ozeplasmid is designed to deliver the IL-12 gene directly into tumor cells, resulting in local cytokine production that stimulates an anti-tumor immune response. Pembrolizumab acts as a checkpoint inhibitor by blocking the interaction between PD-1 on T-cells and its ligands on tumor cells, preventing immune evasion and boosting T-cell activity. The combination is under investigation primarily for non-small cell lung cancer and other solid tumors, aiming to harness both direct immune enhancement (via IL-12 expression) and checkpoint blockade to maximize anti-tumor efficacy.

Other names

pIL-12 (quaratusugene ozeplasmid)QZ (quaratusugene ozeplasmid, common abbreviation)MK-3475 (pembrolizumab, code name)Lambrolizumab (former name for pembrolizumab)