VSV-IFNβ-NIS + pembrolizumab

VSV-IFNβ-NIS + pembrolizumab is a combination therapy under clinical investigation for cancer. It combines **VSV-IFNβ-NIS**, an oncolytic virus engineered from vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) to express human interferon beta (IFN-β) and the sodium iodide symporter (NIS), with **pembrolizumab**, a programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor monoclonal antibody. - VSV-IFNβ-NIS selectively infects and destroys cancer cells by exploiting defects in their interferon signaling, sparing normal cells. IFN-β further enhances anti-tumor immune response, recruits and activates immune effector cells, and increases safety by reducing potential off-tumor viral toxicity. The incorporated NIS allows for tracking virus distribution via medical imaging and potentially radioisotope-based therapy[2][4][5]. - Pembrolizumab blocks the PD-1 receptor on T cells, removing inhibitory signaling and thereby enhancing immune-mediated targeting of cancer cells[3]. The combination is designed for synergistic effects: the oncolytic virus causes direct tumor lysis and inflammation, increasing antigen release and immune cell infiltration, while the checkpoint inhibitor amplifies anti-tumor T-cell activity.

Brand names

Keytruda

Other names

vesicular stomatitis virus expressing interferon-beta and sodium iodide symporter