HSV-1 Oncolytic Viruses from Bench to Bedside: An Overview of Current Clinical Trials

Simple Summary Oncolytic Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) offers the dual potential of both lytic tumor-specific cell killing and inducing anti-tumor immune responses. The HSV-1 genome can be altered to enhance both components and this may be applicable for the treatment of a broad range of cancers. Several engineered oncolytic viruses based on the HSV-1 backbone are currently under investigation in various clinical trials, both as single agents and in combination with various immunomodulatory drugs. Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) provides a genetic chassis for several oncolytic viruses (OVs) currently in clinical trials. Oncolytic HSV1 (oHSV) have been engineered to reduce neurovirulence and enhance anti-tumor lytic activity and immunogenicity to make them attractive candidates in a range of oncology indications. Successful clinical data resulted in the FDA-approval of the oHSV talimogene laherparepvec (T-Vec) in 2015, and several other variants are currently undergoing clinical assessment and may expand the landscape of future oncologic therapy options. This review offers a detailed overview of the latest results from clinical trials as well as an outlook on newly developed HSV-1 oncolytic variants with improved tumor selectivity, replication, and immunostimulatory capacity and related clinical studies.