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Cancer

Live Biologics Offer New Hope for Cancer Patients

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Live biologics, a novel class of cancer therapies derived from viruses, may offer a new hope for patients with hard-to-treat cancers. Calgary-based Oncolytics Biotech Inc. has developed a live cancer biologic called REOLYSIN[R], which targets cancer cells with an activated Ras pathway, a characteristic found in approximately two-thirds of all cancers. A Phase II study using REOLYSIN[R] in patients with sarcomas metastatic to the lung reported stable disease in 19 of 44 patients, with a total clinical benefit rate of 43%. The trial exceeded its objective, with six patients experiencing stable disease for more than six months.

Key Takeaways:

  • Oncolytics Biotech Inc. developed REOLYSIN[R], a live cancer biologic derived from the human reovirus, which targets cancer cells with an activated Ras pathway.
  • Approximately two-thirds of all cancers involve cells with an activated Ras pathway.
  • A Phase II study using REOLYSIN[R] in patients with sarcomas metastatic to the lung reported stable disease in 19 of 44 patients.
  • The total clinical benefit rate was 43%, exceeding the trial's objective of three or more patients having prolonged stabilization of disease.
  • REOLYSIN[R] was well-tolerated, with two patients experiencing stable disease for more than 19 months.
  • The company is contemplating further studies combining REOLYSIN[R] with chemotherapy to integrate the virus in the panoply of agents used for sarcoma treatment.
  • A Phase I/II UK trial (REO 011) of REOLYSIN[R] combined with paclitaxel/carboplatin for patients with advanced cancers reported a total clinical benefit rate of 74% in head and neck cancer patients.

Statistics:

  • Approximately 2/3 of all cancers involve cells with an activated Ras pathway.
  • In the Phase II study, 19 of 44 patients experienced stable disease, resulting in a total clinical benefit rate of 43%.
  • Six patients experienced stable disease for more than six months.
  • Two patients experienced stable disease for more than 19 months.
  • In the Phase I/II UK trial (REO 011), 8 of 19 head and neck cancer patients experienced partial responses, and 6 patients had stable disease.
  • The total clinical benefit rate observed in head and neck cancer patients in the trial was 74%.

Sources:

  • Oncolytics Biotech Inc. press release
  • Institute of Drug Development (IDD) press release
  • The Cancer Therapy and Research Center at the University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHSC) in San Antonio, Texas press release
  • NewsRx.com article "Live Biologics Offer New Hope for Cancer Patients"

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