Beware! Live Virus in Oncologic Therapy: Talimogene Laherparepvec (TVEC) and Nursing Considerations

Melanoma is the most common form of skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (2016), melanoma accounts for 76,380 estimated diagnosed new cases and 10,130 deaths in the United States each year. With the increasing numbers of melanoma cases, a new oncolytic drug, Talimogene laherparepvec (TVEC), was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the local treatment of melanoma tumors, recurrent after initial surgery. TVEC contains an attenuated live herpes simplex 1 virus which is genetically modified to replicate inside tumors, causing rapid oncolysis. (Source: Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing)

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