WEST CHESTER, PA — Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: VRCA) unveiled compelling new data from its Phase 2 study of VP-315, a first-in-class oncolytic peptide immunotherapy, showing strong local immune activation and encouraging clinical responses in patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The results were presented in both oral and poster sessions at the 40th Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) in National Harbor, Maryland.
The latest findings suggest that VP-315 may offer a non-surgical alternative for the millions of patients diagnosed with BCC each year — a population historically dependent on invasive tumor-removal procedures.
Verrica reported that VP-315 reprogrammed the tumor microenvironment, increasing cytotoxic T-cell and helper T-cell infiltration while reducing immunosuppressive T-regulatory cells. Executives said the changes provide mechanistic support for clinical outcomes previously reported, including a 97% objective response rate and a 51% complete histologic clearance rate.
“These new data underscore VP-315’s potential to redefine how basal cell carcinoma is treated,” said Verrica President and CEO Jayson Rieger. He said VP-315 appears to deliver a dual benefit: directly killing tumor cells and triggering a targeted immune response. Rieger added that recent clarity from the FDA following the company’s End-of-Phase 2 meeting supports advancement into a pivotal Phase 3 program. Verrica is now exploring strategic, non-dilutive partnership opportunities to fund development and potential commercialization.
Phase 2 Findings Highlight Strong Efficacy and Immune Activation
In the multicenter study, 82 participants received intratumoral injections of VP-315 over two to three days. An exploratory immunologic analysis of a subset of 22 patients showed meaningful changes 12–14 weeks after treatment:
- Significant increases in CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T-cell populations
- Increased B-cell (CD20+) infiltration, suggesting humoral immune activation
- Reduction in immunosuppressive cell types
- Evidence of abscopal-like effects in non-treated lesions
Clinically, VP-315 produced broad tumor reduction:
- 51% complete histologic clearance
- 86% average tumor-size reduction
- 97% objective response rate
- No treatment-related serious adverse events
The therapy was well-tolerated, with no new safety concerns reported.
A Potential New Pathway in Dermatologic Oncology
VP-315 is based on “host defense peptide” science, a platform designed to induce immunogenic tumor cell death and mobilize a broad anti-tumor immune response. Verrica holds exclusive global rights for dermatologic oncology uses and plans to focus future clinical development on BCC and squamous cell carcinoma.
BCC, the most common cancer in the United States, accounts for an estimated 3.6 million diagnoses annually. While generally treatable, it often requires surgery that can be painful and disfiguring. A non-surgical immunotherapy could represent a major shift in how early-stage skin cancers are managed.
The company said the latest data reinforce VP-315’s potential as a safe, effective, and non-invasive option for BCC patients — and position the candidate as a promising entrant in a multi-billion-dollar market.
With Phase 3 preparations underway and strong mechanistic and clinical results emerging, Verrica is moving closer to testing whether VP-315 can become the first approved non-surgical immunotherapy for basal cell carcinoma.
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