Oncolytics provides update on study of pelareorep in gastrointestinal cancers

Oncolytics (ONCY) announced updates on enrollment progress, U.S. site expansion, and expected data readouts from the ongoing GOBLET trial evaluating pelareorep in gastrointestinal cancers. The study is supported in part by a grant from the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Pelareorep is being studied in combination with atezolizumab in the rare but deadly relapsed, unresectable Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal, or SCAC, indication. In January, the company released efficacy data showing a 33% overall response rate in 12 patients. This nearly triples the ORR achieved by retifanlimab in second-line or later SCAC patients. Enrollment is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. The company expects to provide an efficacy update regarding ORR in Cohort 4 in Q4. Pelareorep is being evaluated in combination with modified FOLFIRINOX with or without atezolizumab to gain greater clarity regarding the contribution of the checkpoint inhibitor to the efficacy achieved in GOBLET Cohort 1. In that cohort, pelareorep combined with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel and atezolizumab achieved a 62% ORR in 13 evaluable patients. Enrollment into Cohort 5 is approximately 40% complete and is expected to be fully enrolled by the end of 2026. The company anticipates providing a Cohort 5 interim efficacy update, including overall survival, in Q1 2026. The company recently submitted a protocol amendment to allow the GOBLET study to open U.S. clinical sites within the next few months.