Full Press Release Details
Biotech Inc. Announces Reovirus Research to be
at AACR Annual Meeting
CALGARY, AB, --- March 16,
2009 -Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (TSX: ONC, NASDAQ: ONCY) announced
today that abstracts covering research with reovirus (REOLYSIN ) are available
on the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) website at www.aacr.org, and on
the Oncolytics website at www.oncolyticsbiotech.com. The
research is scheduled to be delivered at the 100th AACR Annual Meeting in
Denver, Colorado, April 18-22, 2009.
abstract, entitled "Reovirus
Infection in Combination with Chemotherapy Improves the Efficacy of Treatment in
Primary Cultures of Patient Derived Epithelial Ovarian Cancer" covers
preclinical work using reovirus in combination with cisplatin, paclitaxel and
gemcitabine. The combination of reovirus with chemotherapy induced an
additive effect in most cases, however a clear synergistic response was seen at
certain dose combinations in more than 30 per cent of the samples treated with
reovirus and paclitaxel.
investigators concluded that the data supports a significant synergistic effect
of reovirus and paclitaxel. A poster presentation is scheduled to be
delivered by Dr. Geoff Hall and his research group from St. James's Hospital in
Leeds, U.K., on Sunday, April 19, 2009.
second abstract, entitled "Clinical Evidence of Reovirus
Oncolysis in Human Prostate Cancer" reports on early clinical work using
reovirus in a small cohort of prostate cancer patients prior to
prostatectomy. Six prostate cancer patients with cancer confined to
the prostate gland received a single injection of REOLYSIN , followed by
prostatectomy several weeks later. Intralesional reovirus injections
resulted in minimal side effects, and evidence of anti-tumour
activity. There was no evidence of viral spread to adjacent normal
prostate tissues. Evidence of reovirus spread to other intraprostatic
cancerous lesions was not observed.
investigators concluded that reovirus therapy may provide a novel treatment for
prostate cancer, however, ongoing work to circumvent immune clearance of
reovirus is required. A poster presentation is scheduled to be
delivered by Dr. Don Morris and his research group from
the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary, on Tuesday, April 21, 2009.
Oncolytics Biotech Inc.
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 , 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.
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 abstracts and materials presented
on the AACR website and at this meeting with respect to REOLYSIN , the Company's
expectations related to the results of trials investigating delivery of
REOLYSIN , and the Company's belief as to the potential of REOLYSIN 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 as a cancer treatment, the success and
timely completion of clinical studies and trials, the Company's ability to
successfully commercialize REOLYSIN , 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
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