Core Insights - Verrica Pharmaceuticals has presented new data from its Phase 2 study of VP-315, an oncolytic peptide immunotherapy, showing its potential to reprogram the tumor microenvironment and enhance immune response in basal cell carcinoma patients [1][2][3] Study Overview - VP-315 is administered intratumorally and aims to induce immunogenic tumor cell death while promoting anti-tumor immune responses [3] - The Phase 2 study involved 82 subjects with 92 tumors, receiving daily injections of 8 mg VP-315 for 2-3 consecutive days [3] Clinical Outcomes - VP-315 demonstrated a 51% complete histologic clearance rate and an overall 97% objective response rate [5] - The treatment was well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported [5] - Patients experienced an 86% overall reduction in tumor size, with a 71% reduction in those with residual carcinomas [5] Immune Microenvironment Analysis - The treatment resulted in significant increases in CD3+, CD3+/CD4+, and CD3+/CD8+ T cell densities, indicating enhanced immune activation [11] - There was also an increase in B-cell infiltration, suggesting activation of humoral immunity [11] - The findings indicate a shift from an immunosuppressive to an anti-tumor state in the tumor microenvironment [6][11] Market Potential - The company views VP-315 as a potential first-in-class, non-surgical immunotherapy for basal cell carcinoma, addressing a significant unmet need in dermatologic oncology [2][8] - The annual incidence of basal cell carcinoma in the U.S. is approximately 3.6 million, highlighting the market opportunity for new treatment options [8]

Core Insights - Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. is set to present its investigational therapy VP-315 for basal cell carcinoma at the SITC 40th Annual Meeting in November 2025 [1][3][4] Presentation Details - The oral presentation will occur during the Rapid Oral Abstract Session on November 5, 2025, featuring an exploratory analysis of a phase 2 multicenter study on local immune activation post VP-315 treatment [3][4] - The abstract for the presentation will be available on the SITC website on November 4, 2025 [2] About VP-315 - VP-315 is a potential first-in-class oncolytic chemotherapeutic peptide immunotherapy designed to induce immunogenic cell death in tumors, providing a non-surgical treatment option for skin cancer patients [5] - The therapy is based on research into "host defense peptides" and aims to target non-metastatic melanoma and non-metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma, with a focus on basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas [5] About Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. - Verrica is a dermatology therapeutics company that has developed YCANTH (VP-102), the first FDA-approved treatment for molluscum contagiosum, affecting approximately 6 million people in the U.S. [6][7] - The company has entered a worldwide license agreement with Lytix Biopharma AS to develop and commercialize VP-315 for non-melanoma skin cancers [7]