ONYX-015

ONYX-015 is a genetically engineered E1B-55kDa gene deleted adenovirus that was initially developed by Onyx Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of cancer. It was one of the first oncolytic viruses to be tested in clinical trials.

History

ONYX-015 was first developed in the mid-1990s by Onyx Pharmaceuticals, a company that specializes in the development of new cancer therapies. The idea behind the creation of ONYX-015 was to exploit the fact that many cancer cells have a defective p53 gene, which normally helps regulate the cell cycle and prevent cancer formation.

Mechanism of Action

ONYX-015 works by selectively replicating in and killing cancer cells. The virus is engineered to lack the E1B-55kDa gene, which in a normal adenovirus would allow the virus to inactivate the p53 protein in host cells. However, because many cancer cells already have a defective p53 gene, the virus is able to replicate in these cells despite the absence of the E1B-55kDa gene. This selective replication leads to the death of the cancer cells, while leaving normal cells unharmed.

Clinical Trials

Several clinical trials have been conducted to test the safety and efficacy of ONYX-015 in treating various types of cancer, including head and neck cancer, colorectal cancer, and liver cancer. While some trials have shown promising results, others have been less successful, and the overall effectiveness of ONYX-015 as a cancer treatment remains a topic of ongoing research.

Future Directions

Research into ONYX-015 and other oncolytic viruses continues, with the hope of improving their effectiveness and expanding their use to more types of cancer. In addition, scientists are exploring ways to combine oncolytic viruses with other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, to increase their effectiveness.