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# Other cancer immunotherapies (cytokines, cell vaccines, oncolytic viruses)

Other ways to rouse immunity against cancer: high-dose interleukin-2, a cell vaccine for prostate cancer and an oncolytic herpesvirus.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

## What they are

A mixed group that boosts antitumour immunity without being a checkpoint inhibitor, CAR T cell or bispecific: the cytokine aldesleukin (recombinant IL-2) for metastatic melanoma and kidney cancer; sipuleucel-T, an autologous cell vaccine against prostatic acid phosphatase for metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer; and talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC), a modified herpes simplex virus injected into melanoma lesions.

## Mechanism of action

Each acts differently: IL-2 drives the proliferation and activation of T cells and NK cells; sipuleucel-T loads the patient's antigen-presenting cells with a PAP-GM-CSF fusion protein so they prime T cells against PAP; T-VEC replicates in tumour cells, bursts them and releases tumour antigens together with GM-CSF, which helps start an immune response against the tumour.

Target: The immune system (IL-2 receptor on T and NK cells, antigen-presenting cells, tumour cells infected by an oncolytic virus)

## Key points

- High-dose aldesleukin: capillary leak syndrome (hypotension, oedema, oliguria), given only in hospitals with intensive care support.
- Sipuleucel-T is made individually from the patient's own blood cells after leukapheresis; acute infusion reactions are the main problem.
- T-VEC is a live virus: injection sites are kept covered and contacts avoid touching them; immune-weakening conditions are reported beforehand and pregnancy is avoided.
- These agents are rarely first choice today, but they are classic exam examples of immunotherapy.

## Drugs in this class

- [**Aldesleukin** Recombinant interleukin-2 given at high dose in hospital for metastatic kidney cancer and melanoma. Hallmark danger… Interleukin-2 receptor on T cells and NK cells](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/aldesleukin/)
- [**Sipuleucel-T** A personalised cell vaccine for advanced prostate cancer: the patient's own immune cells are trained against prostatic… Prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), an antigen of most prostate cancers](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/sipuleucel-t/)
- [**Talimogene laherparepvec** A modified herpes simplex virus injected into melanoma lesions: it bursts tumour cells and makes GM-CSF to stir an… Melanoma cells (infected and lysed by an engineered herpes simplex virus type 1)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/talimogene-laherparepvec/)

## Others in the class

- BCG intravesical
- lifileucel
- nadofaragene firadenovec

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## What is the dominant toxicity of high-dose aldesleukin?

Capillary leak syndrome: fluid leaves the vessels, causing hypotension, oedema and kidney failure.

## Against which antigen is sipuleucel-T directed?

Prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP).

## What extra gene does talimogene laherparepvec carry?

The gene for GM-CSF, which helps start an antitumour immune response.

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Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Aldesleukin: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a692009.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [Talimogene Laherparepvec Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a616006.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [Sipuleucel-T Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a611025.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026).

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License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/other-cancer-immunotherapies/