Oncolytics Biotech initiates Phase I study of REOLYSIN and FOLFIRI in colorectal cancer patients

May 19 2010

Oncolytics Biotech Inc. ("Oncolytics") (TSX:ONC, NASDAQ:ONCY) announced today that following submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for review, the Company is initiating a U.S. Phase I study of REOLYSIN(R) in combination with FOLFIRI (Folinic Acid (leucovorin) + Fluorouracil (5-FU) + Irinotecan) in patients with oxaliplatin refractory/intolerant Kras mutant colorectal cancer (REO 022). The principal investigator is Dr. Sanjay Goel of the Montefiore Medical Center at The Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.

"We made the decision to conduct a trial in this indication following observed activity in colorectal cancers with REOLYSIN in both the clinical and preclinical settings," said Dr. Brad Thompson, President and CEO of Oncolytics. "Up to 45% of second line colorectal cancer patients have Kras mutations. This makes this an attractive target for REOLYSIN which appears to be active in tumors with this mutation."

The trial is a Phase I dose escalation study with three dose levels and cohorts of three to six patients to determine a maximum tolerated dose and dose-limiting toxicities with the combination of REOLYSIN and FOLFIRI. FOLFIRI will be administered on the first day of a two week (14 day) cycle, while REOLYSIN will be administered on days one through five of a four week (28 day) cycle.

Eligible patients include those with histologically confirmed cancer of the colon or rectum with Kras mutation and measurable disease. They must have progressed on or within 190 days after last dose of oxaliplatin regimen as front-line therapy in the metastatic setting or be intolerant to oxaliplatin.

The rationale for conducting the study is based on signals of efficacy seen in a range of preclinical and clinical work with REOLYSIN. This includes a National Cancer Institute screen of seven colorectal cancer cell lines (four with ras mutations), all of which were susceptible to REOLYSIN; preclinical research into the efficacy of REOLYSIN in combination with various chemotherapeutic agents in colorectal cancer cell lines; observation of CEA responses and stable disease in colorectal patients in a Phase I study of REOLYSIN as a monotherapy; and evidence of viral replication of reovirus in liver metastases in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer in a translational study with REOLYSIN as a monotherapy that is currently ongoing.