CALGARY, April 14, 2014 /CNW/ - Oncolytics Biotech Inc.
("Oncolytics") (TSX:ONC) (NASDAQ:ONCY) today announced that a
poster authored by Bolton, et
al was presented at the 8th Annual International
Conference on Oncolytic Virus Therapeutics held in Oxford, UK. The poster, titled "Resistance to
oncolytic reovirus is associated with high expression of
Yes-Associated Protein (YAP-1) in head and neck cancer," covered
preclinical research focused on identifying biomarkers predictive
of sensitivity/resistance to reovirus in head and neck cancer cell
lines.
Researchers examined reovirus in panels of head and neck cancer
cell lines to determine their sensitivity to reovirus-induced
oncolysis. The study results showed that high YAP-1 protein
expression correlated with reovirus resistance, whereas low YAP-1
expression correlated with sensitivity to reovirus infection. They
also indicated that knocking the YAP-1 gene down resulted in
certain cells becoming significantly more sensitive to reovirus
infection. The researchers concluded that YAP-1 is a possible
biomarker for sensitivity/resistance to reovirus infection in head
and neck cancer and that further investigation into the crosstalk
between chemical signaling pathways upstream and downstream of
YAP-1 and its cellular localization, is important in understanding
how it may be impeding reovirus oncolysis.
"Identifying biomarkers that could be predictive of patient
outcomes has played an increasingly greater role across both our
preclinical and clinical programs," said Dr. Brad Thompson, President and CEO of Oncolytics.
"We have focused on integrating biomarker analysis into many of our
studies with the goal of identifying patients that stand to benefit
from specific treatment regimens."
The poster will be available on the Oncolytics website at
http://www.oncolyticsbiotech.com/for-investors/presentations.
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 human trials including a Phase III trial in
head and neck cancers using REOLYSIN®, its proprietary
formulation of the human reovirus. For further information about
Oncolytics, please visit: www.oncolyticsbiotech.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements,
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements, including the
Company's expectations related to the preclinical work done
examining REOLYSIN and the role of specific biomarkers, future
trials in these areas, 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 tolerability of REOLYSIN outside a controlled test,
the success and timely completion of clinical studies and trials,
the Company's ability to successfully commercialize REOLYSIN,
uncertainties related to the research, development and
manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, changes in technology, general
changes to the economic environment 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 should
consider statements that include the words "believes", "expects",
"anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "projects",
"should", or other expressions that are predictions of or indicate
future events or trends, to be uncertain and forward-looking.
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.