Oncolytics Biotech Inc Announces Promising Interim Data from UK Translational Clinical Trial of Reolysin in Colorectal Cancer

Strategic Insights -

Oncolytics Biotech Inc has made significant progress in the development of its oncolytic virus, Reolysin, designed to target and destroy cancer cells. A recent presentation at the International Symposium on Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) and Immunostimulation in Pamplona, Spain, shared exciting interim data from a UK translational clinical trial, REO 013. This study, led by Professor Alan Melcher of the Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, investigated the intravenous administration of Reolysin in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer prior to surgical resection of liver metastases.

Key Takeaways:

  • The trial, an open-label, non-randomized, single-center study, administered Reolysin intravenously to six patients for five consecutive days one to three weeks prior to surgery to remove liver metastases.
  • Histological analysis of tumor and surrounding liver tissue from the six patients as of October 26, 2010, revealed evidence of replication and tumor cell death in four patients, including two with confirmed Kras mutations in codon 12.
  • Professors Alan Melcher and colleagues concluded that Reolysin can be successfully delivered to colorectal liver metastases following intravenous administration as a monotherapy and that pre-operative treatment was safe, suggesting a promising neoadjuvant setting for oncolytic viral therapy.
  • The interim findings support the decision to conduct a Phase I study of Reolysin in combination with Folfiri in patients with oxaliplatin refractory/intolerant Kras mutant colorectal cancer.
  • Further translational studies with biological endpoints, particularly co-administering reovirus with chemotherapy, are required to maximize the efficacy of this novel biotherapy in cancer patients.

Statistics:

  • 6 patients were involved in the study,
  • 4 patients showed evidence of replication and tumor cell death in the tumor,
  • 2 patients had confirmed Kras mutations in codon 12,
  • 2 patients' samples were still being analyzed for Kras status,
  • The study period spanned from the administration of Reolysin to surgery, which was one to three weeks prior to the scheduled operation.

Sources:

  • Oncolytics Biotech Inc, "Pamplona Presentation Highlights", [reported].
  • Oncolytics Biotech Inc is a Calgary-based biotechnology company.