CALGARY, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ – Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (TSX: ONC, NASDAQ: ONCY) announced today that a poster presentation authored by Prof. Hardev Pandha of The Royal Surrey Hospital, U.K., entitled “Synergistic Anti-Tumour Activity of Oncolytic Reovirus and Cisplatin in a B16.F10 Mouse Melanoma Model” is scheduled to be presented October 23, 2008 at the 20th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics. The conference is being held in Geneva, Switzerland, from October 21-24, 2008.
In the study, the researchers examined the in vitro and in vivo oncolytic activity of reovirus in combination with cisplatin against a mouse melanoma cell line. The researchers demonstrated that the combined therapy results in significantly increased cell death in vitro compared to either agent alone. In the mouse model, combined therapy suppressed tumour growth and significantly prolonged median survival time. The researchers concluded that the addition of chemotherapeutic agents can significantly enhance the anti-tumour efficacy of reovirus therapy and justify formal clinical evaluation.
This research supports the ongoing U.K. clinical trial examining the combination of REOLYSIN(R) with carboplatin and paclitaxel (REO 011) in patients with advanced cancers. An abstract covering interim results of the trial is expected to be available tomorrow in the Journal of Immunotherapy, the official journal of the International Society for Biological Therapy of Cancer (iSBTc). A poster presentation which will include current results from the trial is scheduled to be presented at the iSBTc conference in San Diego, CA on November 1, 2008.
The poster will be available today on the Oncolytics website at www.oncolyticsbiotech.com.
The EORTC-NCI-AACR symposium is held on an annual basis and is jointly organized by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).
About Oncolytics Biotech Inc.
Oncolytics is a Calgary-based biotechnology company focused on the development of oncolytic viruses as potential cancer therapeutics. Oncolytics’ clinical program includes a variety of Phase I/II and Phase II human trials using REOLYSIN(R), its proprietary formulation of the human reovirus, alone and in combination with radiation or chemotherapy. For further information about Oncolytics, please visit www.oncolyticsbiotech.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements, including the implication of the materials presented at this meeting with respect to REOLYSIN(R), the Company’s expectations related to the results of trials investigating delivery of REOLYSIN(R), and the Company’s belief as to the potential of REOLYSIN(R) as a cancer therapeutic, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the availability of funds and resources to pursue research and development projects, the efficacy of REOLYSIN(R) as a cancer treatment, the success and timely completion of clinical studies and trials, the Company’s ability to successfully commercialize REOLYSIN(R), uncertainties related to the research and development of pharmaceuticals, uncertainties related to the regulatory process and general changes to the economic environment. Investors should consult the Company’s quarterly and annual filings with the Canadian and U.S. securities commissions for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.
SOURCE Oncolytics Biotech Inc.
Released October 22, 2008