Biodistribution, shedding, and transmissibility of vusolimogene oderparepvec (RP1)

Trisha M. Wise-Draper; Caroline Robert; Michael K. Wong; Mark R. Middleton; Joseph J. Sacco; Gino K. In; Eva Muñoz Couselo; Dirk Schadendorf; Georgia M. Beasley; Jiaxin Niu; Bartosz Chmielowski; Mohammed M. Milhem; Tawnya Lynn Bowles; Katy K. Tsai; Adel Samson; Kevin J. Harrington; Céleste Lebbé; Caroline Gaudy-Marqueste; Junhong Zhu; Bhavna Paratala; Jeannie W. Hou; Kostas Xynos; Aaron Clack; Robert S. Coffin; Praveen K. Bommareddy

doi:10.3389/fonc.2026.1798502

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Biodistribution, shedding, and transmissibility of vusolimogene oderparepvec (RP1)

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Biodistribution, shedding, and transmissibility of vusolimogene oderparepvec (RP1)

Trisha M. Wise-Draper, Caroline Robert, Michael K. Wong, Mark R. Middleton, Joseph J. Sacco, Gino K. In, Eva Muñoz Couselo, Dirk Schadendorf, Georgia M. Beasley, Jiaxin Niu, …

Frontiers in oncology, Vol.16, 1798502

07/28/2026

DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2026.1798502

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Abstract

Background: Vusolimogene oderparepvec (RP1) is an intratumorally administered, genetically modified herpes simplex virus type-1 derived oncolytic immunotherapy designed to selectively replicate in tumors and stimulate systemic antitumor immunity. We evaluated the biodistribution, shedding, and potential for transmission of RP1 in patients with skin cancers treated in the IGNYTE clinical trial and assessed close-contact exposure across all RP1 clinical studies. Methods: Patients received intratumoral RP1 in combination with nivolumab, with serial collection of blood, urine, injection-site, dressing, and oral mucosal samples during treatment and follow-up. RP1 DNA was quantified by polymerase chain reaction, and swab samples positive for RP1 DNA were tested for replication-competent RP1. Reports of herpetic infection in patients and close contacts were also systematically collected. Results: Among 282 treated patients, RP1 DNA was detected most frequently at injection sites, with substantially lower incidence and levels in other sample types. Detection declined rapidly after treatment completion, with no RP1 DNA detected in blood or urine during follow-up. Replication-competent RP1 was detected rarely and only at low titers, only at injection sites. No systemic herpes simplex virus infections occurred in patients, and no herpetic infections were reported among caregivers or close contacts. Interpretation: RP1 is largely confined to injection sites, shedding of live RP1 is rare and transient. No evidence of transmission of RP1 was observed. These findings support the favorable biosafety profile of RP1 with only a negligible risk of environmental release or secondary transmission during clinical use.

biodistribution and shedding

RP1

PD-1 failed melanoma

Vusolimogene oderparepvec (RP1)

oncolytic immunotherapy

HSV-1

Replimune

Details

Title: Subtitle: Biodistribution, shedding, and transmissibility of vusolimogene oderparepvec (RP1)
Creators: Trisha M. Wise-Draper - University of Cincinnati
Caroline Robert - Université Paris-Saclay
Michael K. Wong - Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Mark R. Middleton - University of Oxford
Joseph J. Sacco - University of Liverpool
Gino K. In - University of Southern California
Eva Muñoz Couselo
Dirk Schadendorf - Ruhrlandklinik
Georgia M. Beasley - Duke Medical Center
Jiaxin Niu - Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center
Bartosz Chmielowski - University of California, Los Angeles
Mohammed M. Milhem - University of Iowa
Tawnya Lynn Bowles - Intermountain Medical Center
Katy K. Tsai - University of California, San Francisco
Adel Samson - University of Leeds
Kevin J. Harrington - Institute of Cancer Research
Céleste Lebbé - Inserm
Caroline Gaudy-Marqueste - Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille
Junhong Zhu
Bhavna Paratala
Jeannie W. Hou
Kostas Xynos
Aaron Clack
Robert S. Coffin
Praveen K. Bommareddy
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Frontiers in oncology, Vol.16, 1798502
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2026.1798502
ISSN: 2234-943X
eISSN: 2234-943X
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Grant note: Bristol Myers Squibb
The author(s) declared that financial support was received for this work and/or its publication. This study is funded by Replimune Inc, Woburn MA Nivolumab is provided by Bristol Myers Squibb.
Language: English
Date published: 07/28/2026
Academic Unit: Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9985215013302771

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