Introduction: Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC; IMLYGIC®, Amgen Inc.) is an oncolytic immunotherapy approved in Europe for the treatment of unresectable metastatic melanoma (stage IIIB-IVM1a). This study characterised real-world use of T-VEC in four European countries.
Methods: Data on demographics, treatment pattern, safety, and clinical effectiveness were examined in a retrospective chart review of patients with stage IIIB-IVM1a unresectable melanoma treated with T-VEC in surgical (the Netherlands) and medical (Austria, Germany, UK) oncology settings.
Results: Overall, 66 patients were included (the Netherlands: n = 31; Austria, Germany, UK: n = 35). The median age was 69 years and 59.1% were female. At the time of T-VEC initiation, 47 patients (71.2%) had stage IIIB/C disease; of these, 30 were from the Netherlands. Although 72.7% patients overall received T-VEC as first-line therapy, this was higher in the Netherlands than the other countries (93.5% vs 54.3%). Of the 47 patients who discontinued T-VEC, 26 (55.3%) had no remaining injectable lesions (potentially indicating complete response); 20/26 of these patients were from the Netherlands. One patient discontinued T-VEC due to toxicity.
Conclusion: This study is the first comprehensive multinational evaluation of the use of T-VEC to treat unresectable stage IIIB/C-IVM1a melanoma in real-world clinical practice in Europe. The differences between European countries were apparent, with physicians in the Netherlands using T-VEC in patients with earlier advanced disease stage and in the first-line setting compared with other countries.
Keywords: Immunotherapy; Injectable; Lesion; Melanoma; Oncolytic; Real-world study; Skin cancer; T-VEC; Talimogene laherparepvec; Tumour.