Here are seven key points:
1. Imlygic uses the herpes virus to destroy potentially fatal skin cancer tumors.
2. Imlygic is injected into the tumor tissue. The drug combines a gene intended to stimulate the immune system with a modified version of the herpes simplex virus.
3. The FDA emphasizes the drug has not been shown to extend life. Of patients injected with the drug, 16 percent of the patients’ tumors shrunk, compared with 2 percent of patients who took more conventional cancer drugs.
4. As of now, the drug has not been effective treating melanoma that has spread to the brain, lungs or other internal organs.
5. Patients should be treated with Imlygic for six months, or until the patient has no more tumors.
6. One treatment costs approximately $65,000. However, the cost depends on the length of treatment.
7. During the course of treatment, physicians give patients an initial round of injections, followed by a second dose three weeks later. Patients then receive regular injections every two weeks until the cessation of treatment.
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