JX-594 is an oncolytic virus that is developed by Jennerex and is designed to target and destroy cancer cells[1][2].
JX-594 is a vaccinia poxvirus engineered to selectively replicate in tumor cells that have an activated EGFR/ Ras pathway, but not in normal tissue. The poxvirus delivers a transgene to the cancer cells that kills them by lysis.[3] [4]
Initially targeted at liver cancers.
Two Phase I trials have reported results and a phase II trial for primary liver cancer, alone and in combination with sorafenib is starting.[3]
JX-594[5] Phase I results in 23 patients had encouraging results in 6 of 8 high dosed patients.[6]
Early results, in Nov 2011, from a small (30 patient) phase II trial in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) showed an increased median overall survival of 13.8 months compared 6.7 months for a lower dose (p=0.029).[7]