Dr. Al Townshend
A pet’s immune system is in place to detect invaders, including cancer cells, and destroy them. When the immune system does not recognize a cell as a foreign invader (such as some cancer cells), the cells can increase quickly and become a danger to the pet.
Research in both human medicine and veterinary medicine has begun to find ways to make the immune system recognize these attackers and destroy them.
The use of immunotherapy in the treatment of cancer is one of the most active areas of research and has discovered exciting and positive ways to approach the treatment of many different cancers. Much of the immunotherapy procedures used are experimental as are many of the chemotherapies. If they have reached the clinical trial stage a pet may qualify to be a part of the study.
How does immunotherapy work?
Immunotherapy can be complicated, and all pieces cannot be covered in this article. It is best to connect with a certified veterinary oncologist for more information.
The description below is an effort toward a general description of how immunotherapy can help show health improvements for some pets.
– There are multiple therapies that boost the immune system making it more aggressive in the fight to destroy cancer cells.
– Some treatments are designed to train the immune system to attack specific cancer cells through specific vaccines and bioengineered immune cells.
– Therapies have been designed to block the immunosuppressive properties some cancer cells have on the pet’s immune system.
What types of cancers have responded, or are being studied?
There are approximately twenty different cancers with immunotherapy clinical trials being studied in human medicine, and some have moved beyond experimental to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The same is true in veterinary medicine.
Many of the investigations are in clinical trials, and are looking for pets to join the studies. Therefore, it is essential to work with veterinary cancer specialists to determine a pet’s specific cancer and qualifications for eligibility.
Examples include;
– Lymphoma or Lymphosarcoma is one of the most common cancers seen in pets. There are different types of Lymphosarcoma, and each may have a different protocol.
– Osteosarcoma, a common bone cancer seen in larger breeds. Treatment usually involves amputation where possible. Immunotherapies have been used along with amputation to slow the spread of the disease.
– Hemangiosarcoma a common cancer that develops in the lining of blood vessels. Vessels in the spleen are a common site for a tumor to grow. Removal of the spleen and chemotherapy is the standard treatment. In most cases, they do not stop the spread. Immunotherapies are looking at ways to slow or prevent the spread.
– Transitional Cell Carcinomas (TCC) of the urinary bladder. A specific protein has been found in many TCC cases. Therapies designed to target that particular protein are underway.
– Fibrosarcoma is a common tumor just under the skin of cats. Surgery and chemotherapy have been used with limited success in eliminating the cancer completely. Studies are underway to stop the spread of the disease.
– Mast cell tumors arise in the skin and can spread to other organs of the body. There is a new FDA-approved intra-tumor injection for mast cell tumors in specific locations on the dog.
New information is being presented regularly that is will continue to advance the knowledge and effectiveness of this most innovative approach to this dreaded disease that has affected so many.
Working closely with your veterinarian and veterinary cancer specialists in your area can provide you with the most up-to-date information on treating specific cancers and give the pet the best chance for a longer and happier quality of life.
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This page has been reviewed by our Panel of Experts for accuracy. Our Panel of Experts is comprised of practitioners with varying specialties and perspectives. As such, the views expressed here may not be shared by all members of our Panel.
The content on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
