GenotoxicityAccepted
No genotoxicity studies; non-integrating HSV-1 episome
Why: ICH S6(R1); HSV-1 forms episomes and does not integrate into host DNA · Within the guideline · Low-risk modality
“In accordance with ICH S6(R1) guideline, genotoxicity studies were not conducted. Talimogene laherparepvec is a genetically-modified HSV-1 virus, which is an enveloped, double-stranded DNA virus that forms stable, circular episomes and does not integrate with host DNA.”
✓ VerifiedEMA assessment report, p. 44Source ↗ “Because wild-type HSV-1 does not integrate into the host genome, the risk of insertional mutagenesis with talimogene laherparepvec is negligible (SmPC section 5.3).”
✓ VerifiedEMA assessment report, p. 44Source ↗ CarcinogenicityAccepted
No carcinogenicity studies; carcinogenic potential assessed from HSV-1 epidemiology literature
Why: ICH S9; extensive human HSV-1 exposure and mechanism of action make tumour induction highly unlikely · Within the guideline · Human data · Weight of evidence
“In accordance with the ICH S9 guideline, no carcinogenicity studies have been conducted. The carcinogenic potential for an HSV-1-based therapy was evaluated by review of the available epidemiological data.”
✓ VerifiedEMA assessment report, p. 44Source ↗ “Given the extensive human exposure to HSV-1, and in view of the mechanism of action of talimogene laherparepvec, it is considered highly unlikely that talimogene laherparepvec will induce tumour development or proliferation.”
✓ VerifiedEMA assessment report, p. 44Source ↗ DARTVerdict not stated
No pre- and postnatal development or juvenile animal studies; mouse embryo-fetal study only
“The applicant did not submit prenatal and postnatal development studies or in juvenile animals (see non-clinical discussion).”
✓ VerifiedEMA assessment report, p. 39Source ↗ Safety pharmacologyVerdict not stated
No dedicated safety pharmacology studies
“The applicant did not submit specific safety pharmacology studies (see non-clinical discussion).”
✓ VerifiedEMA assessment report, p. 29Source ↗