Oncolytic Virus Therapies – Global Clinical Trial Landscape - Focus On Asia Pacific

In recent years, the field of immuno-oncology has witnessed a remarkable surge in drug development, with numerous medications gaining approval or undergoing active development for the treatment of cancer. Some of these therapies have displayed objective effects previously unattainable with traditional small molecules. Notably, various immuno-oncology drug combinations tested in clinical trials have exhibited significant improvements in patient survival compared to monotherapies, marking a significant milestone in cancer treatment.

This white paper delves into the realm of oncolytic viruses (OVs), a class of immuno-oncology drugs. These OVs are engineered replicating viruses designed to possess tumor-specific killing capabilities. They represent a promising frontier in cancer therapy due to recent advancements in genetic engineering as they enable the creation of live replicating viruses that exhibit high selectivity for tumor cells, enhanced cytotoxicity, immune-mediated cell death, and immune modulation. Moreover, OVs can incorporate reporter genes for non-invasive monitoring of virotherapy pharmacokinetics.

Currently, three commercially available OVs are revolutionizing cancer treatment: Oncorine H101, Talimogene Laherparepvec (T-VEC), and Delytact. Clinical studies of various OVs in diverse tumor types are expanding our understanding of patient experiences and outcomes. Several OVs are currently in clinical development for various cancer indications, with encouraging results emerging from early-phase studies.

While challenges remain in determining optimal clinical endpoints, regulatory pathways, and logistical aspects, the growing body of positive reviews for OVs is prompting clinicians to explore these cutting-edge technologies further. This white paper aims to explore the global landscape of OV clinical trials, with a particular focus on trends in the Asia Pacific region. It also offers insights into the future direction of this rapidly expanding field of immune-oncologic therapy, which holds tremendous promise for revolutionizing cancer treatment on a global scale.