CALGARY, June 15, 2015 /CNW/ - Oncolytics Biotech Inc.
("Oncolytics") (TSX:ONC) (NASDAQ:ONCY) today announced that a
series of oral and poster presentations are being made by the
Company's research collaborators at the 9th
International Conference on Oncolytic Virus Therapeutics being held
from June 13th to
16th, 2015 in Boston
MA.
"Our preclinical program continues to identify new potential
therapeutic combinations as well as advance our understanding of
how REOLYSIN® works," said Dr. Brad Thompson, President and CEO of Oncolytics.
"This work is an important part of the ongoing development of our
proprietary formulation of the human reovirus."
Dr. Richard Vile is making an
oral presentation regarding previously disclosed findings around
augmenting tumor-specific natural killer (NK) responses and
specifically attenuating tumor-specific immunosuppression. These
data also suggest that the combination of PD-1 inhibition therapy
with reovirus oncolytic/immunotherapy represents a readily
translatable method to enhance the therapeutic efficacy.
The first abstract/poster titled "Targeting peripheral and lymph
node resistant CLL with combination reovirus therapy," was authored
by Melcher, et al. The authors studied chronic lymphocytic leukemia
("CLL") and the problems associated with eradicating minimal
residual disease and drug resistance. They concluded that the
combination of reovirus and ABT-263 could increase direct and
immune-mediated killing of peripheral disease and that reovirus in
combination with Fludarabine may be useful in targeting
drug-resistant lymph node disease.
The second abstract/poster titled "Oncolysis by reovirus as an
immune priming mechanism with VSV-cDNA immunological boosting
treats large established tumors," was authored by Melcher, et al.
The authors looked at the treatment of established B16 melanoma
tumors in a mouse model. They concluded that the local killing of
cancer cells by one virus primed the immune system and, by using
tumor antigens expressed from a second virus, it was possible to
generate potent immunological responses that led to the rejection
of well established tumors.
The third abstract/poster titled "Monocyte carriage and delivery
of reovirus-antibody complexes for melanoma oncolysis," was
authored by Melcher, et al. The authors studied preexisting
antiviral immunity and found evidence that there is an alternative
mechanism by which systemically administered reovirus may gain
access to tumors, even in the presence of neutralizing
antibodies.
Copies of the abstracts and posters, when available, will be
found 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 later-stage, randomized human trials in
various indications 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 preclinical work 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.