On December 15, 2021 Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (NASDAQ: ONCY) (TSX: ONC) reported preclinical data demonstrating the synergistic anti-leukemic effects of pelareorep combined with the chemotherapeutic agent azacitidine (Press release, Oncolytics Biotech, DEC 15, 2021, View Source [SID1234597204]). The data were featured in a poster presentation at the 2021 American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, which took place from December 11-14, 2021, in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Preclinical studies featured in the poster evaluated pelareorep in combination with azacitidine in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells in vitro and in a leukemia xenograft mouse model. Key data and conclusions from the poster include:
•Compared to either treatment alone, treatment with pelareorep plus azacitidine led to a statistically significant reduction (p<0.01) in tumor burden in a leukemia xenograft mouse model
•Compared to either treatment alone, treatment with pelareorep plus azacitidine led to a statistically significant (p<0.001) synergistic enhancement of anti-leukemic activity against AML cell lines, a benefit that was confirmed in AML patient samples in vitro
•The combination of pelareorep and azacitidine dramatically upregulated multiple genes known to drive anti-cancer immune responses such as IFNβ1, BATF2, IL-12β, CCL2, TLR3, and PD-L1
"These compelling preclinical findings, together with previously reported data demonstrating clinical proof-of-concept in multiple myeloma, indicate that pelareorep’s immunotherapeutic effects extend across multiple hematological malignancies. They also further highlight pelareorep’s potential to enhance the efficacy of a wide range of cancer therapeutics and have stimulated interest in investigator-sponsored clinical studies of pelareorep in leukemia," said Thomas Heineman, M.D., Ph.D., Global Head of Clinical Development and Operations at Oncolytics. "Given its ability to be administered intravenously without special handling procedures, pelareorep exerts a systemic effect that is uniquely suited to address liquid tumors compared to other oncolytic viruses. We look forward to leveraging collaborative relationships to continue evaluating pelareorep in hematological malignancies, which will allow us to potentially broaden its therapeutic impact while maintaining our primary focus on our lead breast cancer program."
A copy of the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) poster titled, "The Clinical Oncolytic Reovirus Formulation Reolysin Synergistically Augments the Anti-Leukemic Activity of Azacitidine," is available on the Posters & Publications page of Oncolytics’ website (LINK).