On April 12, 2021 Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (NASDAQ: ONCY) (TSX: ONC) reported preclinical data highlighting pelareorep’s ability to synergize with multiple classes of anti-cancer agents (Press release, Oncolytics Biotech, APR 12, 2021, View Source [SID1234577920]). The data are featured in two electronic poster presentations at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2021.

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Experiments presented in the posters evaluate the mechanisms of therapeutic synergy between pelareorep and anti-cancer agents identified via a non-biased high throughput screening assay. The top results identified in the screen were the poly(ADP)-ribose polymerase 1 (PARP-1) inhibitor talazoparib and the Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor palbociclib, which are both FDA approved for the treatment of breast cancer.

"Preclinical data presented at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) compel the use of pelareorep to broaden the therapeutic applicability of approved anti-cancer agents," said Thomas Heineman, M.D., Ph.D., Global Head of Clinical Development and Operations at Oncolytics. "Notably, the synergistic interactions between pelareorep and both talazoparib and palbociclib were mediated through immunological effects rather than through the molecular pathways typically associated with PARP-1 and CDK 4/6 inhibition. These findings suggest that pelareorep may expand the mechanisms by which PARP-1 and CDK 4/6 inhibitors exert anti-tumor effects, which may enhance their therapeutic potential."

Key findings from the first poster titled, "Talazoparib interacts with oncolytic reovirus to enhance death-inducing signaling complex (DISC)-mediated apoptosis and immune response" include:

Pelareorep and talazoparib synergistically increase cancer cell apoptosis in vitro and in vivo
Pelareorep and talazoparib mechanistically synergize through enhancement of IFN-β signaling pathways
Combining pelareorep with talazoparib led to enhanced anti-tumor efficacy and inhibition of recurrent tumor growth in murine tumor models
The synergistic anti-cancer effects of pelareorep-talazoparib therapy correlated with an increased immune response
Key findings from the second poster titled, "Mechanisms of therapeutic synergy between pattern recognition response agonists and cdk4 inhibitors" include:
Combining pelareorep with palbociclib increased cancer cell death in vitro and reduced in vivo tumor burden compared to pelareorep or palbociclib monotherapy
Pelareorep and palbociclib mechanistically synergize through enhancement of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling
Pelareorep-palbociclib enhanced ER stress signaling promoted cancer cell apoptosis by increasing innate immune activation and effector function
Andrew de Guttadauro, President of Oncolytics Biotech U.S. and Global Head of Business Development, commented, "Our most recent clinical and preclinical findings support pelareorep’s potential to boost the effectiveness of various immunotherapies beyond merely checkpoint inhibitors. Moreover, these findings codify pelareorep’s position as a simple and effective enabling technology to enhance the clinical effectiveness of a wide range of immunotherapeutic agents."

The electronic posters are available for on-demand viewing on the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2021 e-poster website and on the Posters & Publications page of Oncolytics’ website (LINK).

About Pelareorep

Pelareorep is a non-pathogenic, proprietary isolate of the unmodified reovirus: a first-in-class intravenously delivered immuno-oncolytic virus for the treatment of solid tumors and hematological malignancies. The compound induces selective tumor lysis and promotes an inflamed tumor phenotype through innate and adaptive immune responses to treat a variety of cancers and has been demonstrated to be able to escape neutralizing antibodies found in patients.