FDA-APPROVED ONCOLYTIC
VIRUS THERAPIES
T-VEC (Imlygic, Amgen) is the only FDA-approved oncolytic virus therapy β approved October 2015 for unresectable cutaneo
analyticsAt a Glance
- check_circleT-VEC (talimogene laherparepvec) is the only FDA-approved oncolytic virus therapy
- check_circleApproved for advanced melanoma with injectable lesions in 2015
- check_circleWorks by directly lysing tumour cells and triggering systemic anti-tumour immune response
- check_circleMultiple combination trials with checkpoint inhibitors are in progress globally
The Approval Landscape: One Agent, Ten Years
T-VEC received FDA approval in October 2015. Ten years later, it remains the only FDA-approved oncolytic virus. Thirty agents are in clinical trials across at least eight cancer types β one approval. This matters directly for patient access.
βT-VEC for melanoma is commercially available and prescribable. Every other oncolytic virus agent β for every other cancer type β is accessible only through clinical trial enrollment. Not as a backup option. As the only option.β
Approved Oncolytic Virus Agents Worldwide
| Agent | Approval | Indication | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-VEC (Imlygic) | FDA Oct 2015; EMA Dec 2015 | Unresectable cutaneous, subcutaneous, nodal melanoma | Amgen; requires prior authorization; covered by most insurance for approved indication |
| Oncorine (H101) | CFDA 2005 (China) | HNSCC (head and neck squamous cell carcinoma) | Shanghai Sunway Biotech; first approved oncolytic virus globally; combination with chemotherapy |
| Rigvir (ECHO-7) | Latvia, Georgia, Armenia | Melanoma and other solid tumors | Limited evidence base; not FDA or EMA approved; available in specific Eastern European and Caucasus markets |
Frequently Asked Questions
How CancerFax Helps
CancerFax is a specialist cancer access and patient-navigation platform. We help patients and families understand their options, organise medical records, coordinate hospital communication, and support cross-border treatment planning where appropriate.
We help collect and organise reports, scans, pathology, biomarker results, and treatment history for structured case review.
We communicate with hospitals or trial teams to assess whether a case may be suitable for further screening.
We support appointment coordination, document submission, translation, and direct communication with international departments.
For international patients, we help with practical coordination β travel planning, hospital admission guidance, and local support.
If this option is not suitable, we help explore other relevant treatments, clinical trials, or advanced care pathways.
From inquiry through to follow-up, our coordinators provide a single point of contact for the family.
CancerFax does not guarantee treatment access, eligibility, or clinical outcome. Our role is to help patients access accurate information, structured review, and appropriate specialist pathways.
Questions About Access to Approved Oncolytic Virus Therapy?
CancerFax helps patients navigate insurance authorisation, access programmes, and clinical trial options for oncolytic virus therapy.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified oncologist before making treatment decisions.