Oncolytics Biotech Inc. Announces Positive Interim Data from Translational Clinical Trial of REOLYSIN in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Strategic Insights -

Preliminary results from a translational clinical trial in the UK have shown promising outcomes for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with REOLYSIN, an oncolytic virus. The study, led by Professor Alan Melcher of the Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, involved six patients who received intravenous REOLYSIN prior to surgical resection of liver metastases. The data suggest that the virus can selectively target and replicate in colorectal liver metastases, leading to tumor cell death. Notably, the virus appeared to target tumors with Kras mutations, a common genetic alteration in colorectal cancer.

Key Takeaways:

  • The trial demonstrated that REOLYSIN can be successfully delivered to colorectal liver metastases through intravenous administration as a monotherapy.
  • Pre-operative treatment with REOLYSIN was found to be safe, suggesting its potential application in the neoadjuvant setting.
  • Tumor replication and cell death were observed in four out of six patients, with two of these patients having confirmed Kras mutations.
  • Two patients did not show evidence of viral replication.
  • The authors conclude that further translational studies are necessary to optimize the efficacy of REOLYSIN in cancer patients, potentially through combination with chemotherapy.
  • CEO Dr. Brad Thompson highlights the correlation between Kras status and response to REOLYSIN treatment, supporting the company's decision to conduct a Phase I study combining REOLYSIN with FOLFIRI in Kras mutant colorectal cancer patients.

Statistics:

  • 6 patients were enrolled in the trial.
  • 4 out of 6 patients showed evidence of tumor replication and cell death after treatment with REOLYSIN.
  • 2 patients did not exhibit viral replication.
  • 2 out 4 patients with confirmed Kras mutations showed tumor response to REOLYSIN.
  • 1-3 weeks prior to surgery, patients received 5 consecutive days of intravenous REOLYSIN at 1x10(10) TCID(50).

Sources:

  • Oncolytics Biotech Inc., "Oncolytics Biotech Announces Positive Interim Data from Translational Clinical Trial of REOLYSIN in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer,"
  • Clinical Trials Week via NewsRx.com, "Clinical Trials Journal Discussions"