A review.Sodium cantharidate, a semi-synthetic derivative of cantharidin which is the active ingredient of traditional Chinese antitumor drug cantharinum, can induce tumor cell differentiation and apoptosis, improve immunity, thus enhancing the antitumor effects.It has been clin. used alone or in combination to treat malignant tumors such as advanced hepatic carcinoma and exhibits important clin. application value.This review summarizes the research and development process of sodium cantharidate and its economic and social values after clin. application, hoping to provide reference for further research and development of sodium cantharidate.