[Current state of oncolytic virotherapy in Japan].

Oncolytic virotherapy is an emerging treatment strategy that uses replication-competent viruses to destroy cancers. Recent advances include preclinical proof of feasibility for a single-shot virotherapy cure, identification of drugs that accelerate intratumoral virus propagation, and strategies to maximize the immunotherapeutic action of oncolytic viruses. The primary clinical milestone has been completion of accrual in a phase 3 trial of intratumoral herpes simplex virus therapy using OncoVEX for metastatic melanoma. In Japan, clinical treatments such as oncolytic adenoviruses(OBP-301)for esophageal cancer and oncolytic herpes simplex viruses(G47b)for brain cancer have accelerated considerably. We hope that a steady stream of new oncolytic viruses will enter the clinical arena in our country.