Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (ONCY)

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Oncolytics Biotech(R) Inc. Collaborators Present Reovirus Research at Replicating Oncolytic Virus Meeting
Monday March 23, 2009, 7:30 am EDT

Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (TSX: ONC, NASDAQ: ONCY) announced results of two preclinical studies that were presented at the Fifth International Meeting on Replicating Oncolytic Virus Therapeutics. The meeting was held in Banff, Alberta from March 18th to 22nd, 2009.

Professor Hardev Pandha of the University of Surrey County Hospital, U.K., delivered a poster presentation entitled "Combination of Oncolytic Reovirus and Rapamycin in a B16.F10 Mouse Melanoma Model." In this study, the investigators examined the in vitro and in vivo oncolytic activity of reovirus against the mouse melanoma cell line B16.F10 in combination with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin. The investigators concluded that in vitro synergy between rapamycin and reovirus is only seen when rapamycin is administered after reovirus, and that simultaneous administration of rapamycin and reovirus decreases apoptotic cell death and viral replication. However, unlike the in vitro observations, the combination of rapamycin and reovirus is synergistic in vivo. Further sequencing is being assessed to enhance this effect.

Professor Alan Melcher of St. James's University Hospital in Leeds, U.K., delivered an oral presentation entitled "Immune-Mediated Anti-Tumor Activity of Reovirus is Independent of Direct Viral Oncolysis and Replication." The investigators concluded that the immune response is critical to reovirus tumor therapy and is of direct translational relevance to fulfilling the potential of this novel anti-cancer agent