Calgary, Alberta-based Oncolytics Biotech has chosen NCIC Clinical Trials Group at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, to sponsor and conduct a randomized phase II study of Reolysin in patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer.

"We are pleased to be conducting a second randomized study with the NCIC CTG," said Brad Thompson, president and CEO of Oncolytics. "This study will build on both our early preclinical and clinical colorectal cancer work, as well as preclinical research combining Reolysin with Avastin. As a company, we intend to continue expanding our clinical program to  include randomized studies of frequently diagnosed cancers."

The study will be an open-label, randomized, non-blinded, phase II clinical study of Reolysin given in combination with Folfox-6 plus bevacizumab (Avastin) versus Folfox-6 plus bevacizumab alone. Approximately 50 response evaluable patients will be enrolled in each arm, after a six to nine patient safety run in.