CALGARY, April 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - Oncolytics
Biotech Inc. ("Oncolytics") (TSX:ONC) (NASDAQ:ONCY) today announced
that Dr. Adel Jebar of the Leeds
Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, presented a poster at the
8th Annual International Conference on Oncolytic Virus
Therapeutics held in Oxford, UK.
The poster, titled "Combined anti-viral and anti-tumour therapy for
virus-associated liver cancer," covered preclinical research into
the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with
infection by Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV).
Researchers examined REOLYSIN® in panels of both
normal and malignant liver cells and administered either
REOLYSIN® or saline to SCID mice with HCV-positive HCC
xenografts. The aims of the study were to assess interferon
secretion in normal and malignant liver cells in response to
reovirus infection; the effects of reovirus infection in normal and
malignant liver cells on HBV and HCV proteins; and the anti-viral
and anti-cancer effects of reovirus in vivo.
The study results showed that reovirus infection of primary
human liver cells and HCC lines induced a robust type I interferon
response; that reovirus-conditioned media (filtered to remove
reovirus) from both primary human liver cells and JHH1 cells
potently inhibits HCV and HBV in vitro with these effects
abrogated by the blockade of the type I interferon receptor and
soluble interferon beta; and that reovirus inhibits HCC xenograft
growth and HCV replication in vivo. The researchers
concluded that the results described a novel dual anti-viral and
anti-cancer mechanism for reovirus in HBV/HCV-positive HCC and that
reovirus treatment of patients with HBV/HCV positive HCC will
likely lead to the suppression, rather than exacerbation, of the
underlying oncogenic viral infection. Based on these results, the
investigators are evaluating the conduct of a translation clinical
study.
"Current clinical practice separates the treatment of viral
hepatitis and HCC," said Dr. Matt
Coffey, COO of Oncolytics. "The goal of a translational
study would be to determine if a combined anti-viral, anti-tumour
approach might lead to improved HCC clinical outcomes and the
potential for reovirus to be used in the treatment of patients with
HBC/HCV but not cancer. The natural induction of interferon likely
has far reaching clinical implications in how the virus is exerting
anti-tumor as well as anti-viral effects."
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 in HCC associated with HBV/HCV, 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.