Reovirus/Gemcitabine Combination Has Synergistic Effect Against Human Colon Cancer Cell Lines

Colon Cancer Treatment

Oncolytics Biotech Inc. announces that a poster by Dr. Maureen E. Lane entitled "In Vivo Synergy between Oncolytic Reovirus and Gemcitabine in Ras-Mutated Human HCT116 Xenografts" is scheduled to be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting.

The researchers found that treatment of human colon cancer cell lines with the combination of REOLYSIN and gemcitabine resulted in both in vitro and in vivo synergy. There was no toxicity associated with the combined treatment.

Tumours treated with the combination were significantly smaller (by area and weight) than tumours in control groups or tumours treated with either agent alone. The researchers concluded that the synergistic combination of REOLYSIN and gemcitabine is a promising therapeutic regimen for study in clinical trials.

"It is rare to see the virtual elimination of tumours as well as the long-lasting therapeutic effect that we have observed from this study," said Dr. Brad Thompson, President and CEO of Oncolytics. "We are very encouraged by these results and look forward to testing this particular treatment combination in our upcoming human systemic administration trial in the U.K."