Carol Veldhoven with her dog Jack. Picture: Eugene Hyland
(March 15, 2016 From HeraldSun by Cheryl Balfour, Melbourne Leader)
MELBOURNE scientists say a new canine cancer trial has produced exciting results that could lead to a breakthrough in human treatment.
Dr. Noam Pik, head of the veterinary division at West Melbourne biotechnology research group Biotempus is leading the free clinical trial and said early results were “mind-blowing”.
“If this trial proves effective, we plan to offer this service to canine patients within 24 months and then continue to humans,” Dr. Pik said.
The 12-month trial, which is being conducted at 20 veterinary clinics around Australia, was launched in December and according to Dr. Pik, several dogs had already shown signs of remission.
Dr Pik said dogs were given a single dose of chemotherapy — a tablet — that did not target the tumour, but attacked (T-Regulatory) cells within the patient’s own immune system.
