Oncolytics reports durability and survival data for pelareorep in anal cancer

Oncolytics Biotech announced updated data on October 27, 2026 from Cohort 4 of its Phase 1/2 GOBLET study, which evaluates pelareorep combined with atezolizumab (Tecentriq) in patients with second-line or later squamous cell anal cancer (SCAC).

Median overall survival had not yet been reached, while the median duration of response was approximately 15 months, compared with a historical figure of 9.5 months reported for FDA-approved retifanlimab monotherapy in a similar patient population. All patients who responded to treatment survived beyond 12 months, including some surviving more than 24 months.¹ The company noted that SCAC is a disease in which more than 90% of cases are linked to human papillomavirus (HPV), and said the results suggest pelareorep added clinical benefit on top of checkpoint inhibition.¹

CEO Jared Kelly said the company views anal cancer as a starting point for building a pelareorep-checkpoint inhibitor platform across HPV-driven cancers, citing the survival data and recent FDA regulatory clarity as supporting both a registration path in anal cancer and expansion into other HPV-associated tumors such as head and neck cancer.¹

Following Fast Track Designation from the FDA, Oncolytics said it plans to pursue additional clinical studies with a potential checkpoint inhibitor partner aimed at registrational development in SCAC.¹ The company said durable responses could potentially support accelerated approval, while survival data might serve as evidence for full approval, pending FDA agreement.¹

Oncolytics also pointed to head and neck cancer as a possible expansion area, noting HPV accounts for about 70% of oropharyngeal cancers in the United States.¹ Pelareorep has shown signals of antitumor activity in prior head and neck cancer studies but has not yet been tested there in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor.¹