Oncolytics Biotech Announces Research Collaboration with the Keck School of Medicine of USC Combining REOLYSIN with Keytruda, Velcade and Dexamethasone

Oncolytics Biotech (TSX:ONC) (OTCQX:ONCYF), currently developing REOLYSIN^® (pelareorep), an intravenously delivered immuno-oncolytic virus turning cold tumors hot, today announced a collaboration with the Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California (USC) using pelareorep in combination with Keytruda^®, Velcade^® and dexamethasone, to treat multiple myeloma.

As quoted in the press release:

The study continues to build on the Company’s I-O program and is now its third combination in human trials after the previously announced second line pancreatic cancer study – also with Keytruda – and the multiple myeloma study in combination with Celgene’s Imnovid^® and Revlimid^®. Oncolytics will supply pelareorep for the study and Merck will supply the Keytruda.

The combination of proteasome inhibitors and pelareorep has been demonstrated to increase PD-L1 expression on multiple myeloma cells and to recruit T-cells to the bone marrow. This study will enroll patients with relapsed-refractory multiple myeloma and will primarily evaluate overall response rate, as well as safety and tolerability.  It will also provide important biomarker data determined by analysis of pre- and post-treatment biopsies and blood-based immune markers.

Click here to read the full press release.