Jan 4, 2016
Sharon Seltzer in Dog Health Issues
The Yale School of Medicine and The Veterinary Cancer Center in Norwalk, Connecticut, are working together to test and evaluate a cancer vaccine for dogs with certain types of cancerous tumors. If the clinical trial is successful, researchers believe the vaccine will change the way cancer treatment is delivered to animals and people. The Veterinary Cancer Center is accepting dogs for the study.
The EGFT/HER2 Tumor Vaccine is the culmination of years of work by cancer researchers at Yale University. This stage of the project will determine whether or not anti-tumor antibodies are produced in vaccinated dogs. The vaccine ingredients are combined with a patient’s own white blood cells and then injected into a dog at two different intervals during the study. Blood samples are taken at the time of the first injection, then again on day 21, day 28 and day 56.
Yale researchers found that in a laboratory setting, the white blood cells worked with the vaccine to target malignant tumors and start to kill, reducing their size.
One patient in the clinical trial is a Pit bull mix named Valo. His owner reported the dog hasn’t experienced any side effects from the vaccine and is doing all of the regular activities he enjoys.
The ultimate goal of the vaccine study is to develop a new technology for treating cancer in people, as well as animals. This goal is somewhat rare because the majority of clinical trials for pets do not produce the same results when they are tested on people, but the Yale researchers are optimistic this study will benefit all of us.
Here are the eligibility requirements for dogs to enter the study:
· Dogs must have confirmed mammary cancer or osteosarcoma.
· Dogs with other types of cancer may be eligible depending on enrollment opening.
· Dogs must weigh more than 6 pounds.
· Dogs must not have been on prior steroid use. (ie: prednisone)
For more information about the EGFR/HER2 Canine Tumor Vaccine clinical trial, contact Gillian Rothchild at: Gillian@VCCHope.com.
Here are the specific details from the Source:
Experimental EGFR/HER2 Tumor Vaccine
Study Objective:
This trial is evaluating a cancer vaccine strategy for EGFR and/or HER2 bearing tumors in dogs. This stage of the project is simply to determine if anti-tumor antibodies arise in vaccinated animals. The vaccine is composed of a short peptide of canine EGFR (15 amino acids) mixed with LymeVax(R) (Zoetis) and mineral oil. The patient gets two 0.5 cc vaccines (SC in the nape of the neck) separated by 3 weeks regardless of the size of the dog. Blood samples will be taken at the time of the first injection (Day 0), Day 21 (time of the booster injection), Day 28 (+/- 3 -4 days) and Day 56 (+/- 7 days). Based upon mouse studies, we expect no untoward effects or even injection site reactions. There are NO contraindications with other forms of therapy, either surgical or chemotherapy. We would prefer mammary tumors and osteosarcomas (and other tumors that are presumed to express EGFR and /or HER2).
Eligibility Requirements:
· any dog with confirmed mammary cancer or osteosarcoma
· dogs with any other confirmed cancer may be eligible depending upon enrollment
· No steroids given within 7 days
· Performance score of 0, 1, or 2-expected survival time of over 6 weeks
Exclusion Criteria:
· Dogs less than 3 kg in body weight
· Prior steroid use
· Other clinical findings precluding the use of a vaccine
Compensation:
This is a partially funded trial. The vaccine and blood draws will be at no cost to the client.
Location of Trial:
Norwalk, CT
For more information or to apply, click here.
