ORYX’s oncolytic parvovirus H1 successfully completes Phase I/IIa trial to treat glioblastoma multiforme

ORYX’s Phase I/IIa ParvOryx trial has been successfully completed.

The ParvOryx trial assessed oncolytic parvovirus H1 as a treatment for patients with progressive primary or recurrent glioblastoma. The open label, single centre trial included 18 patients who showed recurrent or progressive disease despite previous radio- and/or chemotherapy. As primary endpoints, the trial evaluated safety, maximum tolerated dose, viremia and virus shedding. Secondary endpoints were efficacy, progression-free survival up to six months and overall survival. The vaccine was safe and strong cellular immune responses were observed. Full data from the trial will be presented at upcoming scientific conferences.

Oncolytic parvovirus H1 does not affect normal cells and is not pathogenic to humans

Oncolytic parvovirus H1 is a wild type rat virus that infects and lyses tumour cells from a wide variety of human tumours. Oncolytic parvovirus H1 is also able to cross the blood brain barrier.

Unlike other natural or modified oncolytic viruses currently under investigation, oncolytic parvovirus H1 does not affect normal cells and is not pathogenic to humans. Oncolytic parvovirus H1 acts at relatively low multiplicities of infection. The virus exerts a cytotoxic/oncolytic effect, predominantly mediated by the non-structural protein (NS1). In addition, viral oncolysis induces a strong and lasting tumour-specific immune response (bystander effect).

Dr Bernard Huber, CEO and Founder of ORYX, commented, “We are proud that with ParvOryx now ORYX’s three clinical phase I/IIa trials are completed successfully. Based on the promising data from the ParvOryx trial, we together with the scientists at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, who developed this treatment strategy, are highly convinced that the oncolytic parvovirus H1 holds extraordinary potential to treat not only glioblastoma multiforme but also a variety of other cancers. Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and most aggressive type of primary brain tumour with a substantial unmet medical need for better treatment options.”