Translational Data from Anal Cancer Patients Show Pelareorep Drives HPV-Specific Immune Responses, Supporting its Potential Across HPV-Driven Cancers
Globe Newswire•04/11/2026•09:30 ET
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Key Highlights
- ➤14 patients evaluated; six showed HPV-16 clonal expansion
- ➤Four patients with TIL expansion achieved two complete and two partial responses
- ➤Seven of eight evaluable patients more than doubled immune-activation biomarkers
- ➤Pelareorep combination more than doubled objective response rate versus approved therapy
- ➤Oncolytics estimates HPV-associated cancers represent a potential $3 to 5 billion market
Expert Statements
Thomas Heineman, Chief Medical Officer of Oncolytics
“These data reinforce pelareorep’s potential in multiple HPV-driven cancers as those tumor types generally exhibit low response rates to checkpoint inhibitors”
Thomas Heineman, Chief Medical Officer of Oncolytics
“Pelareorep’s ability to increase tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte populations and expand HPV-specific T cells form the basis for its synergy with checkpoint inhibitors and reinforces the potential of this combination to combat tumor growth in HPV-associated cancers.”
Thomas Heineman, Chief Medical Officer of Oncolytics
“More broadly, these data support our belief in pelareorep as a backbone immunotherapy capable of activating anti-tumor immunity and improving responses to multiple therapies across a wide range of tumor types.”
Jared Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of Oncolytics
“We see HPV-associated cancers as a compelling business development opportunity for pelareorep, spanning anal, HPV-positive oropharyngeal, cervical, and other malignancies and representing a potential $3 to 5 billion market based on our internal estimates”
Jared Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of Oncolytics
“The combination of HPV-specific T cell expansion in our anal cancer study and prior clinical efficacy signals in head and neck cancer gives prospective partners a differentiated scientific and clinical rationale to explore pelareorep alongside checkpoint inhibitors.”
Jared Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of Oncolytics
“With systemic delivery, substantial clinical experience, and the potential to pursue multiple indications, we believe pelareorep offers a scalable opportunity to extend immunotherapy franchises into underserved patient populations.”
Jared Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of Oncolytics
“Our priority is to translate this evidence into strategic collaborations that can accelerate development and realize the broader commercial opportunity.”
Pelareorep-driven changes in the tumor microenvironment are associated with tumor responses and shrinkage
Immune activation levels more than doubled in nearly all patients after one cycle of treatment
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