Oncolytics' pelareorep data in PNAS show 'cold' liver tumors turned immunotherapy-responsive

ONCOLYTICS BIOTECH INC

Academic paper 'MicroRNA-driven regulation of immunosuppressive microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma' published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on Sept. 28, 2026.
Preclinical data show pelareorep reversed immunosuppression in hepatocellular carcinoma, with increases in PD-L1 expression, ICOSL on tumor cells and CD8+ T cell density.
CMO Thomas Heineman said liver cancer is not an indication Oncolytics intends to pursue now, but the data are aiding business development conversations.
Paper also notes PD-1/PD-L1 upregulation and Inducible T cell Co-stimulator (ICOS)-ICOSL signaling, conditions cited as necessary for checkpoint inhibitors to work.
Oncolytics describes pelareorep as an investigational, systemically active immunotherapy that forms tertiary lymphoid structures and expands tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.

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