1. A global study predicts an alarming 84% rise in cancer cases among men by 2050, with deaths soaring by 93%.
  2. Oncolytics Biotech Inc. is making strides in oncology with its promising cancer therapy, pelareorep, showing significant survival benefits in advanced breast cancer patients.
  3. The Phase 2 BRACELET-1 trial revealed that the median overall survival has not been reached for pelareorep-treated patients, underscoring its potential to extend lives and bring new hope to breast cancer treatment.

A recent global study predicts that cancer cases among men will jump by 84%, with deaths soaring 93% by 2050. In several wealthy nations, cancer has now surpassed heart disease as the leading cause of death, according to Our World in Data.

Despite warnings from the American Cancer Society that 44% of U.S. cancer deaths are linked to lifestyle choices, risky habits persist. Another study highlights that even light drinking raises cancer death rates among older adults in Britain.

On the brighter side, biotech companies like Oncolytics Biotech Inc. are pushing the boundaries of cancer treatment, developing new targets for the next wave of oncology breakthroughs.

Oncolytics Biotech Inc. is gaining momentum toward a critical study for its leading cancer therapy, pelareorep, following promising results from its BRACELET-1 breast cancer trial. The Phase 2 study showed that pelareorep-based treatments could offer significant benefits to patients with HR+/HER2- advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

Notably, the median overall survival (OS) in the pelareorep group has not been reached, meaning over half of the patients were still alive at the study’s end. In contrast, the median OS in the control group receiving only paclitaxel was 18.2 months. The two-year survival rate was 64% for those on the pelareorep combination therapy, nearly double the 33% seen in the paclitaxel-only group. Progression-free survival (PFS) was also higher, with a median of 12.1 months for the combination therapy versus 6.4 months for paclitaxel alone.

"The fact that the median overall survival was not reached because more than half the patients were still alive at the end of the study is a remarkable achievement for us," said Wayne Pisano, Interim CEO and Chair of Oncolytics' Board of Directors.
"It shows just how promising pelareorep treatment can be for extending the lives of breast cancer patients. This is further exemplified by the near doubling of the 2-year survival rate for patients who received pelareorep combination therapy."

Armed with these promising results, Oncolytics is now gearing up for the next big step: securing funding for a registration-enabling study. This crucial phase aims to bring pelareorep closer to becoming an approved treatment for breast cancer, potentially offering patients a new and hopeful option in their fight against the disease.

Edited by Harshajit Sarmah

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