CALGARY, Jan. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ – Oncolytics Biotech Inc.
(“Oncolytics”) (TSX:ONC, NASDAQ:ONCY) announces that an oral presentation by
Dr. Sheila Fraser of St. James’s University Hospital in Leeds, U.K. entitled
“Reovirus as a Potentially Immunogenic as well as Cytotoxic Therapy for
Metastatic Colorectal Cancer” will be presented today at the Society of
Academic & Research Surgery Conference in Cambridge, U.K.
The investigators tested reovirus in vitro against recently resected
colorectal cancer liver metastases. The results showed that a significant
proportion of tumour cell cultures showed susceptibility to death following
reovirus infection, and also demonstrated effective replication of reovirus
within these cells. In addition, dendritic cells that prime the immune system
to fight cancer cells were activated by exposure to the reovirus.
The investigators concluded that the data supports the development of
reovirus as a novel therapy for colorectal cancer, with the potential to
direct the immune system to target cancer cells.
“These results reinforce the results of previous studies that investigated
the interaction between the reovirus and the immune system,” said Dr. Matt
Coffey, Chief Scientific Officer of Oncolytics. “Recording immune system
effects on cancer following reovirus infection continues to be an important
objective in our ongoing clinical program for REOLYSIN(R).”
The research abstract will be posted on the Oncolytics website at
www.oncolyticsbiotech.com as soon as it is available.
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 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 conference 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 and uncertainties related to
the regulatory process. 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.
SOURCE Oncolytics Biotech Inc.
Released January 10, 2007