Last reviewed · How we verify
AdV-tk
AdV-tk is an oncolytic adenovirus expressing herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase that replicates in tumor cells and sensitizes them to ganciclovir, triggering both direct viral lysis and immune activation.
AdV-tk is an oncolytic adenovirus expressing herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase that replicates in tumor cells and sensitizes them to ganciclovir, triggering both direct viral lysis and immune activation. Used for Metastatic pancreatic cancer, Ovarian cancer.
At a glance
| Generic name | AdV-tk |
|---|---|
| Also known as | adenovirus-thymidine kinase, Aglatimagene Besadenovec |
| Sponsor | Candel Therapeutics, Inc. |
| Drug class | Oncolytic virus |
| Target | Tumor cells (HSV-tk prodrug activation pathway) |
| Modality | Biologic |
| Therapeutic area | Oncology |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
Mechanism of action
AdV-tk is a replication-competent adenovirus engineered to express the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) gene. The virus selectively replicates within tumor cells, causing direct cytolysis. The expressed HSV-tk enzyme phosphorylates the prodrug ganciclovir into a toxic nucleotide analog that further kills tumor cells and bystander cells. This combination approach leverages oncolytic viral activity, prodrug activation, and immunogenic cell death to trigger anti-tumor immunity.
Approved indications
- Metastatic pancreatic cancer
- Ovarian cancer
Common side effects
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Injection site reactions
Key clinical trials
- A Biomarker Study in Men With Localized Prostate Cancer Treated With Aglatimagene Besadenovec (PHASE2)
- Virus-Based Gene Therapy (AdV-HSV1-TK and AdV-Flt3L) in Combination With Valacyclovir for the Treatment of Pediatric and Young Adult Patients With Resectable, Recurrent Primary Malignant Brain Tumors (PHASE1)
- A Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of RZ-001 With Valganciclovir (VGCV) in Subjects With Glioblastoma (PHASE1, PHASE2)
- CAN-2409 Plus Prodrug With Standard of Care Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor for Stage III/IV NSCLC (PHASE2)
- Randomized Controlled Trial of CAN-2409 Immunotherapy During Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer (ULYSSES) (PHASE2)
- Phase 3 Study of ProstAtak® Immunotherapy With Standard Radiation Therapy for Localized Prostate Cancer (PHASE3)
- Intratumoral Gene Mediated Cytotoxic Immunotherapy in Patients With Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (PHASE1)
- GMCI, Nivolumab, and Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed High-Grade Gliomas (PHASE1)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- AdV-tk CI brief — competitive landscape report
- AdV-tk updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Candel Therapeutics, Inc. portfolio CI