Valaciclovir

CAN-2409, a viral immunotherapy, showed significant improvement in disease-free survival (DFS) in a phase 3 trial for high-risk localized prostate cancer patients, with a 14.5% relative improvement in DFS at 54 months and a 30% lower risk of disease progression or death. Patients treated with CAN-2409 also had a 40% lower chance of prostate cancer recurrence or death related to prostate cancer, and 80.4% pathological complete responses in two-year post-treatment biopsies.

Candel Therapeutics announced CAN-2409 hit primary endpoint in Phase III prostate cancer study, improving disease-free survival (DFS) with a hazard ratio of 0.7 and p-value of 0.0155. CAN-2409 also achieved key secondary endpoints and was well-tolerated. However, it failed a Phase II trial for low-to-intermediate-risk patients.

CAN-2409 (aglatimagene besadenovec) combined with valacyclovir and standard-of-care radiation therapy significantly improved disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with intermediate- to high-risk localized prostate cancer, meeting the primary endpoint of the phase 3 PrTK03 trial. At 54 months, the investigational arm showed a 14.5% relative improvement in DFS and a 30% reduction in the risk of disease recurrence or death compared to the standard-of-care arm. The 2-year pathological complete response rate was 80.4% in the CAN-2409 arm vs. 63.6% in the control arm. CAN-2409, designed to deliver the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene to tumor cells, demonstrated potential to improve long-term outcomes without adding substantial toxicity.

Candel Therapeutics' stock surged 172% after CAN-2409, a viral immunotherapy for localized prostate cancer, met its primary endpoint in a Phase III trial. The therapy, combined with radiation and valacyclovir, showed a 14.5% improvement in disease-free survival and a higher PSA rate, with a consistent safety profile. The company plans to use these results to seek FDA approval.

Herpes simplex 1 and 2, which cause cold sores, remain incurable and can reactivate due to stress. Antiviral medications can manage outbreaks but not eliminate the virus. Researchers are exploring vaccines and gene therapy for prevention and treatment, with some promising early-stage trials.

Shingles, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, can surface years after chickenpox as painful rashes, especially in those over 50 with stress or compromised immunity. Antivirals like Valacyclovir can treat shingles if taken within 36 hours of rash onset, but pain can persist as postherpetic neuralgia. The Shingrix vaccine, recommended by the CDC, offers protection in two doses and is covered by Medicare.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the US, with a need for more therapies for later-stage patients. Several candidates are under investigation, including Candel Therapeutics' oncolytic virus therapy, Johnson & Johnson's Akeega (PARP inhibitor + abiraterone acetate), and Pfizer's mevrometostat (EZH2 inhibitor). These therapies aim to improve treatment options for prostate cancer patients, especially those with advanced or resistant disease.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women. Kiromic BioPharma’s Deltacel shows disease stabilization in NSCLC patients. Achilles Therapeutics advances EHC in phase 1/2 trials for NSCLC and melanoma. Genprex reports positive results in 2 lung cancer trials for Reqorsa but drops Acclaim-2. CAN-2409 improves survival in NSCLC patients not responding to ICI therapy.