Intraperitoneal oncolytic virotherapy for patients with malignant ascites: Characterization of clinical efficacy and antitumor immune response

Advancing together and moving forward: Combination gene and cellular immunotherapies

“…Oncolytic adenoviruses have the potential for efficacy in patients with malignant ascites. In a recent clinical study by Zhang et al, 14 human type 5 adenovirus (H101) was intraperitoneally administrated in 40 patients with malignant ascites. Treatment with H101 was well-tolerated and showed ascites response rates in 40% of patients.…”

Oncolytic adenovirus for treatment of malignant ascites

“…Ascites formation is particularly prominent in patients with advanced ovarian, pancreatic, and gastrointestinal malignancies. 1 , 2 …”

“…The treatment was well tolerated, resulting in the usual adverse effects associated with intraperitoneal administration of oncolytic adenoviruses: mild to moderate fever, fatigue, chills, and abdominal pain. 1 , 15 As the investigators used a catheter for virus administration, there were some catheter complications. Efficacy was evaluated by measuring the volume of ascites 4 weeks later, and in many cases, it was decreased or even completely absent.…”

“…Ascites formation is particularly prominent in patients with advanced ovarian, pancreatic, and gastrointestinal malignancies. 1,2 Although only a few patients studied in Zhang et al had ovarian cancer, 1 this is the tumor type where ascites formation is perhaps most frequent. Ovarian cancer is a common and deadly disease, and most patients are not cured with available therapies, as the majority of cases are detected when already disseminated.…”

“…It is easy to agree with Zhang et al that use of oncolytic adenovirus for treatment of malignant ascites is a promising approach, and it was satisfying to read that they have initiated a prospective trial to investigate it further. 1…”