Yale Researchers Develop Cancer Vaccine for Dogs with Potential for Human Treatment
In a groundbreaking development, researchers at Yale University have successfully developed a cancer vaccine for dogs that has shown promising results in increasing their 12-month survival rate. This breakthrough treatment not only offers hope for our furry friends but also holds potential for human cancer treatment.
Cancer immunotherapy, a treatment that enhances the immune system to combat cancer, was approved by the FDA in 2011. Since then, numerous powerful immunotherapies have been developed for humans. However, the same cannot be said for dogs. Mark Mamula, an immunologist at Yale, explains, “There have been very few new canine cancer treatments developed in decades — it’s a field that is begging for improvement.”
Cancer in dogs is unfortunately prevalent, with one in four dogs being affected at some point in their lives. Although dogs and humans share many similarities in terms of cancer development and mutations, the development of effective treatments for dogs has lagged behind. Recognizing this disparity, Mamula and his team at Yale embarked on a mission to revolutionize canine oncology.
Their research led to the creation of a cancer vaccine that stimulates the production of antibodies targeting two proteins commonly found on cancer cells: EGFR and HER2. These proteins are also prevalent mutations in human cancers. After successful trials in mice, the team decided to test the vaccine on dogs.
“Dogs, just like humans, get spontaneous cancers. They arise naturally,” Mamula explains. “They get virtually all of the same cancers that humans do… and they almost all have identical growth and mutations that human cancers have.”
Since 2016, over 300 dogs with osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, and transitional cell carcinoma have received the vaccine as part of clinical trials. Although control groups were not included in the studies, dogs with these types of cancer typically have a 35% chance of surviving beyond a year. However, the vaccinated dogs have shown a remarkable 60% survival rate after 12 months.
Mamula initially intended to transition quickly from canine trials to human trials. However, due to the exceptional success of the vaccine in dogs, he is currently focused on further developing the treatment for canines. He has established a company called TheraJan to produce the vaccine and has submitted it to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for review. Approval from the USDA is expected as early as April, which means this potentially game-changing treatment could soon be widely available for dogs.
Gerry Post, a veterinarian who assisted Mamula in an early study of the vaccine, expresses his enthusiasm, stating, “This vaccine is truly revolutionary. I couldn’t be more excited to be a veterinary oncologist.”
While Mamula’s primary focus remains on canines, he still hopes to see the vaccine tested in humans in the future. However, this would require an entirely different testing and regulatory process. Mamula’s dedication to advancing cancer treatment for both dogs and humans is unwavering. “I have to see this to the end,” he affirms.
The development of this cancer vaccine for dogs not only offers hope for our furry companions but also paves the way for potential breakthroughs in human cancer treatment. With further research and regulatory approval, this innovative vaccine could transform the field of oncology, providing new avenues for combating cancer in both dogs and humans.
