Phase I Polio Oncolytic Virotherapy (PVS-RIPO) of Pediatric High-Grade Glioma

Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC

The B+ Foundation is pleased to support this exciting new immunotherapy for children with deadly brain tumors conducted at Duke University. Oncolytic viruses are capable of stimulating immune responses against tumor-associated antigens that can produce lasting immunologic control of cancers.

PVS-RIPO is a polio-derived oncolytic virus engineered to selectively kill brain tumor cells, and has shown some dramatic responses without toxicity in adults with universally fatal recurrent glioblastoma. This has garnered the attention of the oncology research community and was highlighted by 60 minutes in March 2015, and now will be available to pediatric patients in mid-2016. This pediatric trial will enroll 10-15 children with recurrent high-grade gliomas, and the PVS-RIPO poliovirus is directed to the tumor by convection-enhanced delivery. The researchers will determine the optimum dose and any toxicities

There are promising therapies in adults that The B+ Foundation has worked hard to make available to children with deadly tumors and no options. Given the promising results in adults, expectations are high this will be very effective in children as well. Read more about the development of this oncolytic virus.

The B+ Foundation provided the essential support to this exciting work, summed up by oncologist Dr. Henry Friedman: “This, to me, is the most promising therapy I’ve seen in my career, period.”