Oncolytics’ pelareorep shows efficacy in breast cancer study

Oncolytics announced the presentation of additional translational data from the AWARE-1 breast cancer window-of-opportunity study conducted in combination with SOLTI-Innovative Cancer Research at The San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. “Translational data presented from the AWARE-1 study at SABCS showed that pelareorep induced the expansion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, or TILs, in matched tumor biopsy and peripheral blood samples of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. In addition, sequencing of the T cell receptors showed a more prominent expansion of existing TIL clones in the blood. We consider these results to be positive and important because they build on additional translational results reported this fall at two other medical meetings…and provide further support for pelareorep’s unique immunologic mechanism of action,” said CEO Matt Coffey. “Taken together, these translational data affirm pelareorep’s ability to enhance T cell infiltration into tumors and expand TILs in the peripheral blood, which have been correlated with tumor response. We intend to incorporate these learnings into the designs of our registrational studies in metastatic breast cancer and pancreatic cancer.” CMO Heineman concluded, “Results from multiple prior studies lead us to believe that pelareorep has the potential to fill very important treatment gaps for both breast and pancreatic cancer patients. The translational data reported this fall emphasize the importance of TIL clone expansion in pelareorep-treated patients and represents an important area for further exploration. We believe that analysis of TIL clone expansion could become a helpful precision tool to provide an early indication of treatment response and serve as a potential guide to patient care with pelareorep. We remain dedicated to expeditiously advancing the clinical development of pelareorep in support of our goal to provide cancer patients with improved treatment options.”