Oncolytics Biotech Inc. Announces Start of Patient Enrolment in Translational Clinical Trial Investigating REOLYSIN(R) in Patients with Metastatic Colorec...( CALGARY Jan. 27 / Oncolytics Biotech ...),Health

CALGARY, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Oncolytics Biotech Inc. ("Oncolytics") (TSX:ONC, NASDAQ: ONCY) announced today that patient enrolment has begun in a U.K. translational clinical trial investigating intravenous administration of REOLYSIN(R) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer prior to surgical resection of liver metastases. The principal investigator is Professor Alan Melcher of St. James's University Hospital.

"This study allows us to assess a resected tumour after REOLYSIN(R) treatment has been administered, giving us vital information about how effective REOLYSIN(R) delivery really is in patients," said Prof. Melcher. "REOLYSIN(R) will be given to patients before their planned operation, which is part of the patient's standard clinical care. In addition to possible benefit to patients, this data will tell us more about how REOLYSIN(R) kills cancer cells; helping to guide future research and development of the agent."

The trial (REO 013) is an open-label, non-randomized, single centre study of REOLYSIN(R) given intravenously to patients for five consecutive days in advance of their scheduled operations to remove colorectal cancer deposits metastatic to the liver. Patients will comprise two groups receiving REOLYSIN(R), either at an early (21 to 10 days) or late time point (less than 10 days) before surgical resection. After surgery, the tumour and surrounding liver tissue will be assessed for viral status and anti-tumour effects.

"We are pleased that our U.K. colleagues are sponsoring additional clinical research using REOLYSIN(R)," said Dr. Brad Thompson, President and CEO of Oncolytics. "With the U.S. National Cancer Institute trials underway, three REOLYSIN(R) trials are now being sponsored by our collaborators."

The primary objectives of the trial are to assess the presence, replication and anti-cancer effects
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