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Breakthrough Cancer Vaccine for Dogs is “Revolutionary”
Dog Cancer Vaccine Successful in Early Trials!!
Bryan Reisberg
April 11, 2024
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Dog Cancer Vaccine Successful in Early Trials
Let’s get right into it. This could be huge.
Yale researchers have developed a cancer vaccine for dogs that has shown promising results in early trials, nearly doubling their 12-month survival rate. This vaccine, which triggers the production of antibodies to fight cancer cells, could potentially be a powerful treatment for humans as well.
Typically, only about 30 percent of dogs with osteosarcoma will survive beyond twelve months. Around one in four dogs will get cancer during their lifetimes, so the potential impact of the treatment is huge.
Despite advances in cancer immunotherapy for humans, similar treatments for dogs have been lacking. Mark Mamula, an immunologist at Yale, took on the challenge and developed a vaccine that targets two proteins commonly found on certain cancer cells.
Here’s a pic of Dr. Mark and his dogs.
According to NewsAtlas, “Scientists adapted existing human cancer treatments to find a new version that could benefit both humans and dogs, since some cancers share properties between species.”
After successful trials in mice, the vaccine was tested in dogs with three types of cancer. The results have been remarkable, with vaccinated dogs showing a 60% survival rate at 12 months, compared to the usual 35%.
The Dog Who Beat Cancer
Meet Hunter, the golden retriever who's now living a cancer-free life after receiving this groundbreaking therapy. Hunter was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer that typically gives a grim prognosis.
Hunter, an 11-year-old golden retriever, survived osteosarcoma with the treatment. The team is now exploring using the vaccine to prevent cancer in healthy dogs.
Mamula's focus is currently on getting the vaccine approved for wider use in dogs. His company, TheraJan, aims to produce the treatment, and approval from the USDA could come as soon as April.
Researchers beyond Yale University are also advancing canine cancer treatments, particularly with immunotherapies for melanoma and lymphoma in dogs. However, similar to human cancers, not all dogs respond predictably to these treatments.
While Mamula hopes to see the vaccine tested in humans in the future, for now, he is dedicated to improving canine cancer treatment. The vaccine represents a significant advancement in veterinary oncology, offering a new tool in the fight against cancer in man's best friend.
Research on the clinical trial was published in the journal Translational Oncology.
Watch the video below to see Hunter’s Story!
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