Pelareorep Shows Promising Immune Activation in Preclinical Liver Cancer Models

Oncolytics Biotech reported preclinical findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, that its investigational oncolytic virus therapy pelareorep altered the immune environment in hepatocellular carcinoma models. Treatment increased PD-L1 expression and ICOSL levels and boosted CD8+ T-cell density, changes that may make tumors more responsive to immune-based treatments. The company said it does not currently plan to develop pelareorep for liver cancer; the findings remain preclinical.
Oncolytics framed pelareorep as a potential “backbone therapy” that could help checkpoint inhibitors, chemotherapy, RAS inhibitors and other treatments work more effectively.
The company said the liver-cancer results fit its broader strategy of using pelareorep to enhance immunotherapy responses across challenging solid tumors, despite not planning to pursue liver cancer clinically.
In its September 29, 2026, Form 8-K, Oncolytics described the announcement as furnished rather than filed, stating that the disclosure was not subject to Section 18 liability under the Securities Exchange Act.
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