CALGARY, June 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ – Oncolytics Biotech Inc.
(“Oncolytics”) (TSX:ONC, NASDAQ:ONCY) announced today that that it has started
patient enrolment in a Phase II clinical trial using intravenous
administration of REOLYSIN(R) in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin
in patients with advanced head and neck cancers. The principal investigator is
Dr. Kevin Harrington of The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden
NHS Foundation Trust.
This trial is a 14-patient, single arm, open-label, dose-targeted,
non-randomized trial of REOLYSIN(R) given intravenously in combination with a
standard dosage of paclitaxel and carboplatin. Eligible patients include those
with advanced or metastatic head and neck cancers that are refractory to
standard therapy or for which no curative standard therapy exists. The primary
objective of the Phase II trial is to measure tumour responses and duration of
response, and to describe any evidence of antitumour activity. The secondary
objective is to determine the safety and tolerability of REOLYSIN(R) when
administered in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin to patients with
advanced or metastatic head and neck cancer.
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 Company’s expectations related to
the U.K. Phase II combination REOLYSIN(R)/paclitaxel and carboplatin clinical
trial, 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
tolerability of REOLYSIN(R) outside a controlled test, 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 June 5, 2008