IFNα2b in combination with oncolytic adenovirus enhances antitumor activity against melanoma

Melanoma is an aggressive malignancy originating from melanocytes, marked by its high metastatic potential, severe malignancy, and poor prognosis. The primary clinical approach involves surgical resection, complemented by adjuvant therapies such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies. In recent years, high-dose IFNα2b has emerged as a pivotal adjuvant therapy following surgery. However, the clinical remission rate of IFNα2b as a standalone treatment remains limited, prompting deeper exploration into novel immune combination therapies to improve response rate. Oncolytic adenoviruses (OA) selectively target and destroy cancer cells, activate localized immunity, and synergize with other tumor inhibitors, offering a promising new avenue to cancer treatment. In light of this, we investigated the combination of IFNα2b and OA for melanoma treatment. The combination therapy showed excellent tumor inhibition effects in a melanoma mouse model. Importantly, the combination of IFNα2b and OA significantly induced immunogenic tumor cell death and improved tumor antigen presentation compared to either therapy alone. This enhancement bolstered the activation and proliferation of CD8+ T cells, driving a more potent anti-tumor immune response.