Oncolytic viruses
Viruses engineered to infect and burst cancer cells while leaving normal cells alone, and to alert the immune system in the process.
Talimogene laherparepvec (Imlygic, HSV-1, 2015) in melanoma. Vusolimogene oderparepvec (Tudriqev, RP1, Replimune), an HSV-1 expressing GM-CSF and a fusogenic protein, received accelerated approval with nivolumab for anti-PD-1-failed advanced melanoma on 6 August 2026 after an initial 2025 rejection. Intravesical nadofaragene firadenovec (Adstiladrin) and cretostimogene are approved or near approval in BCG-unresponsive bladder cancer.
How it works
Attenuated virus replicates selectively in tumour cells (defective antiviral signalling), lysing them and releasing antigens and encoded cytokines.
- In situ vaccination
- Synergy with PD-1 blockade
- Intratumoural injection limits to accessible lesions
- Neutralising antibodies
Cretostimogene is a virus engineered to multiply only in bladder cancer cells with a broken RB pathway, instilled into the bladder. It cleared carcinoma in situ in 75% of BCG-unresponsive patients.
Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC, Imlygic) was the first approved oncolytic virus (2015), injected into melanoma skin lesions.
Vusolimogene oderparepvec is an engineered herpes virus injected into melanoma tumours, approved in August 2026 with nivolumab after immunotherapy failure.
Latest papers
topQuery for this technology: (TITLE:"oncolytic virus" OR ABSTRACT:"oncolytic virus" OR TITLE:"oncolytic virotherapy" OR ABSTRACT:"oncolytic virotherapy" OR TITLE:"oncolytic viruses" OR ABSTRACT:"oncolytic viruses"). Results are unfiltered search hits about Oncolytic viruses, not a curated reading list.