Clinical development of oncolytic viruses in China

The oncolytic virus, being a promising new therapeutic strategy for cancer, has inspired a wave of recent clinical research and development in China. The first commercialized oncolytic virus, Oncorine, was approved by Chinese SFDA in November 2005 for nasopharyngeal carcinoma combined with chemotherapy. Since then, a number of oncolytic viruses have been moved into clinical trials. Among these are the armed oncolytic adenoviruses such as H103 (expressing the heat shock protein) currently has finished phase I trial, and KH901 (expressing GM-CSF) now launched in phase II trial In this review, we will discuss the current status of ongoing oncolytic virus projects being conducted at various clinical stages in China, including the preliminary market response for Oncorine after it was launched into the Chinese market in 2006.