Monoclonal antibody cancer vaccine nearly doubled the survival rate of dogs

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Monoclonal antibody cancer vaccine nearly doubled the survival rate of dogs

Monoclonal antibody cancer vaccine nearly doubled the survival rate of dogs

In a clinical trial, a monoclonal antibody cancer vaccine nearly doubled the survival rate of dogs.

One of the biggest tragedies of pet ownership is that their lives are not long enough. Fortunately, scientists are working to address this issue by injecting dogs with a new cancer vaccine, which almost doubles their survival rate when faced with certain types of diseases.

Hunter, an 11-year-old golden retriever, has been cancer-free for two years after receiving treatment with a canine cancer vaccine developed by Yale University.

Monoclonal antibody cancer vaccine nearly doubled the survival rate of dogs

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Cancer is as common in dogs as it is in humans, especially in larger and older dogs. However, while there are many weapons available to humans, options for canine cancer patients are limited. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are common, but their effectiveness varies, and many dogs pass away before they can receive treatment, often due to cost and accessibility issues.

In this new study, scientists at Yale University adapted existing human cancer treatment methods to find a new approach that could benefit both humans and dogs, as some cancers have common characteristics across species. Monoclonal antibodies are an emerging treatment method, where patients are injected with proteins that bind to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), both of which are overexpressed in various cancers like colorectal and breast cancer.

The problem is that patients often develop resistance to these antibodies, reducing the effectiveness of treatment. To overcome this issue, the new study began producing monoclonal antibodies instead—antibodies made from multiple immune cells that can bind to multiple parts of the epidermal growth factor receptor/HER2.

Researchers discovered a compound that could achieve this and tested it on mice and dogs. The therapy was highly successful, with over 300 dogs involved in clinical trials over the past eight years, combining the treatment with disrupting pathways that promote tumor growth.

The researchers said that the canine cancer vaccine they developed almost doubled the 12-month survival rate of certain types of cancer in dogs. For example, dogs with osteosarcoma, when treated with chemotherapy and other conventional treatments after diagnosis, had a 35% chance of surviving for one year, but the cancer vaccine increased this chance to 60%.

Hunter, an 11-year-old golden retriever, is a prime example of this success. The search and rescue dog was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his left front leg in 2022. Unfortunately, after amputation, chemotherapy, and treatment with the new cancer vaccine, he has reportedly been living happily and energetically for the past two years.

The research team is currently planning further studies to see if healthy dogs can be injected with the cancer vaccine to prevent cancer from occurring in the first place or to stop cancer from developing earlier. As long as it helps our furry friends live longer and healthier lives, it’s a victory for all of us.

The study on this clinical trial was published in the journal Translational Oncology.