Reovirus Agent Shows Activity in Phase I Trial

PRAGUE, Czech Republic—Results from Oncolytics Biotech's phase I trial of Reolysin, its oncolytic reovirus, show stable disease in 7 of 32 patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors refractory to standard therapy or for which no curative standard therapy exists. Dr. Timothy Yap of The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, UK, presented the study at the 18th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics (abstract 348).

Two patients with colorectal cancer had tumor stabilization lasting 3 months and 6 months, along with reductions in CEA of 27% and 60%, respectively, Dr. Yap said. One patient with metastatic prostate cancer had stable disease for 4 months, a 50% decrease in PSA, and extensive necrosis. A patient with metastatic bladder cancer had stable disease for 4 months and a minor response in a metastatic lymph node lesion (reduction from 2.5 to 1.9 cm). Patients with pancreatic cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer, and endometrial cancer also had stable disease lasting 4 to 5 months.

The agent has been well tolerated, Dr. Yap said, and the maximum tolerated dose has not been reached.