Tudriqev (Vusolimogene Oderparepvec-Wtpg) for Melanoma

Tudriqev (vusolimogene oderparepvec-wtpg) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat certain adults with advanced skin melanoma.

How Tudriqev Works and How It’s Taken

Tudriqev is a type of treatment called an oncolytic viral therapy. It is designed to multiply mainly inside tumors. This can cause tumor cells to break apart and release substances that may help the immune system recognize the cancer.

When Tudriqev is used with nivolumab (Opdivo), the combination may help the body produce an anti-tumor immune response.

Doctors prescribe Tudriqev when adults have advanced skin melanoma that cannot be removed with surgery and has gotten worse after treatment with a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1)-blocking medicine. It is used with nivolumab.

Typical Dosing for Melanoma

Tudriqev is injected directly into tumors every two weeks for eight doses. Nivolumab is started at week 3.

The recommended dose of Tudriqev depends on the size of the tumor being treated. Doctors use 1 milliliter for each centimeter of the tumor’s largest dimension, up to a total of 10 milliliters per treatment visit across all tumors treated.

The first dose uses a lower concentration of 10⁶ plaque-forming units per milliliter. Later doses use a higher concentration of 10⁷ plaque-forming units per milliliter.

If there is no confirmed worsening of the cancer, some people may receive additional Tudriqev treatments every two weeks at a concentration of 10⁷ plaque-forming units per milliliter.

If there are several tumors, doctors may treat the largest or fastest-growing tumors first.

This information is based on prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.

Tudriqev Side Effects

In clinical studies of Tudriqev used with nivolumab, the most common side effects occurred in 10 percent to 59 percent of people. These include:

Fatigue (feeling unusually tired)
Pyrexia (fever)
Infections
Chills
Musculoskeletal pain (muscle, bone, or joint pain)
Nausea
Diarrhea
Injection site reactions (such as pain, swelling, or irritation)
Headache
Cough
Flu-like illness
Rash
Vomiting
Pruritus (itching)
Arthralgia (joint pain)
Constipation
Decreased appetite
Dizziness
Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
Hemorrhage (bleeding)
Edema (swelling)
Abdominal pain (stomach pain)

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Tudriqev can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:

Immune-mediated events — The immune system can attack healthy tissue, which may affect the colon, liver, heart, nerves, skin, or other organs.
Herpetic infection or reactivation — A herpes-type infection can cause sores and other symptoms.
Accidental exposure and viral transmission to close contacts — People who come into contact with injection sites, dressings, or body fluids may develop a herpetic infection.
Injection procedure complications — These can include bleeding, infection, and visceral injury, such as pneumothorax (a collapsed lung).

Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.

How To Save on Tudriqev

Replimune, the manufacturer of Tudriqev, offers the ReplimuneConnect Plus program. Eligible people prescribed Tudriqev can access support for reimbursement navigation, prior authorization, and financial assistance options.

To learn more, visit the Tudriqev website or call 877-375-0095.

What To Know Before Taking Tudriqev

Before starting Tudriqev, your doctor will confirm your pregnancy status if you are able to get pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to vusolimogene oderparepvec-wtpg or any ingredients in Tudriqev.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are taking antiviral medicines. These medicines may make Tudriqev less effective. Your Tudriqev treatment may need to be delayed for 72 hours after you finish antiviral treatment.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or become pregnant during treatment.

Females who can become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment and for 90 days after the last dose. Males with a female partner who can become pregnant should also use effective birth control during treatment and for 90 days after the last dose. Males should not donate sperm during this time.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should not breastfeed during treatment with Tudriqev or for 90 days after your last dose.

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Tudriqev for melanoma?

In a study of 91 adults with advanced melanoma that could not be removed with surgery and had gotten worse after anti-PD-1 treatment, 24.2 percent had an objective response when treated with Tudriqev and nivolumab.

Among people who responded, the response lasted a median of 14.1 months. An estimated 86.1 percent had a response lasting at least six months, and 54.6 percent had a response lasting at least 12 months.

How long does Tudriqev take to work for melanoma?

In the study, doctors checked tumors every eight weeks using imaging and/or tumor measurements with photographs. The study does not say exactly how long it usually takes for Tudriqev and nivolumab to start working.

What tests or monitoring are needed with Tudriqev for melanoma?

Your doctor will measure the tumors on each treatment day to decide how much Tudriqev to inject. In the clinical study, doctors checked how the tumors responded every eight weeks using imaging and/or tumor measurements with photographs.

Blood tests in the study also showed changes such as anemia, lower lymphocyte counts, higher lipase, low sodium, low phosphate, changes in liver enzymes, and higher creatinine. A specific schedule for routine blood tests is not stated.