New Dog Bone Cancer Therapy Offers Hope for Humans. Researchers at Auburn University are testing a new dog bone cancer therapy that holds hope for humans with the same condition. This new dog bone cancer therapy consists of injecting a virus normally used in the Canine Hepatitis Vaccine.
This canine hepatitis vaccine virus is modified in the lab so that it only duplicates itself when it is actually inside the cancer cell.
Once the virus is injected and enters the cancer cell, it causes the cancer cell to rupture and die; at the same time it releases thousands of copies of itself, which then attack and kill the remaining cancer cells.
According to the Bruce Smith, director of the Research Team, they found a way to turn the cancer cell into a factory producing more and more viral particles so that in essence the cancer cell becomes an “agent of its own death.”
Once they are able to confirm that this new viral therapy works as expected for dog bone cancer, they hope to create a single therapy that is able to treat multiple types of canine cancer.
Canine bone cancer affects approximately five percent of dogs.
In over 90 percent of the cases, even with amputation of the affected limb, the cancer spreads to the lungs and dogs typically survive less than nine to twelve months, even with chemotherapy.
Canine bone cancer survival rates are very poor.
Thanks to a two year grant from the American Kennel Club, Canine Health Foundation, this new study plans to accept 20 dogs with bone cancer. All dogs must be referred by their veterinarian and all must have all four legs intact, so cancer cell can be collected for the study. These dogs will be treated and monitored for two years.
Ultimately, the team plans to take the knowledge gained from treating bone cancer in dogs to create new human cancer treatments.
They are planning to partner with various medical colleges to run clinical trials in human cancer cases based on the initial results in dogs.
The Auburn University Research Initiative in Cancer, operates according to a concept called “One Medicine.”
One Medicine views pet and human health as one field whereby discoveries in one species such as a dog, acts to offer health advancements in humans as well.
According to Smith, “Dogs are physically very similar to people.”
In addition, the types of cancer and genetic mutations affecting dogs are quite similar to those affecting people.
Consequently what researchers discover in dogs is in most cases very applicable to people.
Dr. Carol is Amazing. I’m 43 and have had animals since I was 0 years old. I’ve been going to vets just as long. I have come across some great vets over the years but never before have I experience a vet as sincere,dedicated, devoted, warm, kind and as wonderful as Dr. Carol. She’s fantastic and one of the very nicest people I have ever had the pleasure of speaking with. You’ll see what I mean. Thank you for everything Dr. Carol. From Dusty and Michelle
Hi Michelle
It is my pleasure to help you and Dusty!
I appreciate your kind comments very much.
Please feel free to call my veterinary office at any time
Thank you again!
Dr Carol
PH 866 372 2765
HI Dr. Carol, we’ve got a wonderful 13 year old Westie, aka Clyde who thinks he’s 2. Two weeks ago he jumped off our 18″ high couch, and started frantically yelping in pain. Xrays showed bone cancer in his left hind leg just above the wrist joint, with probable microfractures. The recommended amputation was financially out of the question, not to mention the suggested chemotherapy. He was on Tramadol, but I took him off it after a week when it became apparent it was giving him anxiety and severe restlessness. He’s tripoding quite nicely on his own, does not appear to be in pain. I’ve got him on a diet recommended by: http://dog.rescueme.org/. I’ve also been looking into splints as a way to allow him to put weight on that leg without putting pressure on the affected area. Suggestions?
But I’m especially interested in him participating in your hepatitis/cancer cell study. What would be the first step?
Hi RB,
I am very sorry to hear about your dog and glad to help.
Please contact my veterinary office directly and we can set this up.
Your first step would be to contact us, we would begin by reviewing and evaluating your dogs x-rays and labs, and customize a protocol specifically for Clyde.
Our study does not require any amputation or chemo.
Thank you
Dr Carol
Toll Free Phone: 866 372 2765
Hi Dr. Carol, a follow-up to my last post. I spoke with Auburn’s Dr. Bruce Smith, and got the full picture of what’s involved to participate in the hepatitis/cancer cell study. He currently has five dogs in the trial, with a total of twenty desired. It does require the dog to be on site at the Auburn campus in Alabama, and client paid amputation and chemotherapy are part of the protocol. For those interested they or their vet can contact Dr. Smith at 334-844-5587 (his direct line) or make an appointment through the school’s oncology department.
Hi RB,
The study we are running does not require amputation or chemotherapy just so you understand
Thank you
Dr Carol
Toll Free Phone 866 3472 2765