Full Press Release Details
Inc. Completes Patient Enrolment in
U.K. Combination REOLYSIN and Paclitaxel/Carboplatin Head and Neck Cancer Trial
CALGARY, AB, --- July 2, 2009
- Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (TSX: ONC, NASDAQ: ONCY) announced today that patient
enrolment has been completed in the Phase II component of a Phase I/II U.K.
trial of REOLYSIN combined with paclitaxel/carboplatin for patients with
advanced cancers. The principal investigators for the trial are Dr.
Kevin Harrington of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, England, and Dr.
Geoff Hall of St. James's Institute of Oncology, Leeds.
of 30 patients have been treated in the Phase I/II trial (REO 011), including 23
head and neck cancer patients. Of these head and neck patients, 17 patients have
been treated in the Phase II portion of the trial.
patients in the Phase II portion of the trial included those with advanced or
metastatic head and neck cancers that are refractory to standard therapy or for
which no curative standard therapy exists.
results reported in March 2009 demonstrated that of 12 head and neck patients
evaluable for clinical response, five had experienced a partial response (PR)
and four had experienced stable disease (SD) ranging from two to six months, for
a clinical benefit rate of 75%.
an outstanding response rate in this difficult-to-treat patient population, and
formed the basis of the Phase III pivotal program now being developed for
REOLYSIN in combination with carboplatin/paclitaxel for head and neck cancer
patients," said Dr. Brad Thompson, President and CEO of Oncolytics.
results of the trial are expected to be released later this year.
independent, confirmatory Phase II trial using the same combination of REOLYSIN
and carboplatin/paclitaxel for patients with head and neck cancers is currently
underway in the U.S.
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 Company's expectations related to the U.K. Phase I/II
REOLYSIN paclitaxel and carboplatin trial 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 laws.
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