Veterinary oncology is one of the fields that frankly intrigues me the most.

While human medicine is experiencing a boom in treatment solutions, from ADC to bi-specific antibodies, from cell therapies to new small molecules, most of the veterinary treatments are restricted to surgery and radiation.

Not surprisingly, two of these methods are the heroes of this week.

What is surprising, is that while according to the WHO only 1 out of 5 humans will develop cancer over their 70-80 years lifespan, 1 out of 3 dogs and 1 out of 4 cats will develop cancer over their 10-15 years lifespan.

That’s huge!

All we can do, is just do out part to help develop new therapies and work together with the scientific community.

Enjoy this week’s newsletter!

Clinical

Effectiveness and Side Effects of Brief Palliative Radiation for Advanced Anal Gland Cancer in Dogs

This study by Militi et al. from AniCura AOI Center AG, Hünenberg, Switzerland, examines how short cycles of palliative radiotherapy (pRT) can help manage advanced anal sac gland adenocarcinomas (AGASACA) in dogs. AGASACA often requires multiple treatments, especially in cases with severe symptoms. In this retrospective study, 12 dogs with advanced AGASACA received at least one short cycle of pRT (intensity-modulated radiotherapy, or IMRT, at 4 Gy twice daily over two days). Each dog was monitored from treatment until death, and their disease progression (PFS) and overall survival time (OST) were recorded.

The study found that all dogs showed clinical improvement after receiving pRT, with the median progression-free survival at about 198 days and overall survival time around 250 days. Seven dogs experienced mild gastrointestinal side effects that resolved quickly, and no serious long-term effects were observed. Although the small sample size limited the ability to analyze additional treatments or prognostic factors, the results suggest that short cycles of pRT are a safe and effective option for providing symptom relief in dogs with advanced AGASACA.

Militi, M., Botta, V., Heidrich, Y. et al. Efficacy and tolerance of short cycles of palliative radiotherapy in advanced anal sac adenocarcinomas in dogs. Vet. Oncol. 1, 9 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s44356-024-00009-w

Results and Surgical Risks of Removing Neck Tumors in Dogs: A 21-Case Study

In this study, Kate Paskoff and colleagues from BluePearl Pet Hospital , California, USA, reviewed the outcomes and complications of surgery for carotid body paragangliomas, a rare tumor in dogs. The study included 21 dogs treated at nine specialty veterinary centers. Approximately half of the dogs (52%) experienced complications after surgery, such as airway obstruction, pneumonia, difficulty swallowing (megaesophagus), partial laryngeal paralysis, coughing, and Horner’s syndrome. Only one dog (4.7%) died shortly after surgery, showing a low perioperative mortality rate. The median survival time was 554 days, with 61% of dogs surviving at least one year and 42% surviving at least two years. This study, the largest of its kind, suggests that surgical removal of these tumors is generally safe and can provide extended survival for affected dogs.

Paskoff, K., Matz, B., Fournier, Q., Aisa, J., Oblak, M., Bray, J. and Linden, D. (2024), Outcomes and Perioperative Complications of Surgical Resection on Canine Carotid Paragangliomas (21 Cases): A Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology Study. Vet Comp Oncol. https://doi.org/10.1111/vco.13023

Impact of Tumor Grading on Survival in Dogs with Rib Cartilage Cancer

In this study, Musset et al. from Iowa State University investigated whether the grade of rib chondrosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, affects survival in dogs. The team examined 22 cases and classified the tumors using a 3-tier grading system adapted from human medicine to see if higher grades were linked to shorter survival. The median survival time was about 1,427 days (ranging from 27 to 3,354 days), and no significant differences were found between grades in terms of survival outcomes. Other factors like age, weight, tumor location, appearance on X-rays, and additional treatments also did not significantly impact survival. Although grading did not predict outcomes in this small sample, further studies are needed to understand the role of tumor grade in canine rib chondrosarcoma prognosis.

Musser, M., Meritet, D., Viall, A., Choi, E., Willcox, J. and Mathews, K. (2024), Prognostic Impact of a Histologic Grading Scheme in Dogs Diagnosed With Rib Chondrosarcoma. Vet Comp Oncol. https://doi.org/10.1111/vco.13025

Diagnostics & Biomarkers

Comparing Three Blood Tests for Diagnosing Brucella suis in Dogs Using Advanced Statistical Methods

In this study, Kneipp and colleagues from the University of Melbourne evaluated the effectiveness of three blood tests for diagnosing Brucella suis infection in dogs, an emerging zoonotic concern. The study tested 989 dog serum samples using the Rose Bengal test (RBRPT), complement fixation test (CFT), and a competitive ELISA (C-ELISA). A Bayesian analysis was used to account for overlap between tests. The RBRPT had the highest sensitivity, meaning it was best at identifying infected dogs, while the CFT was the most specific, meaning it was best at ruling out uninfected dogs. The C-ELISA showed strong overall performance. Combining the CFT and C-ELISA provided the best balance of sensitivity and specificity. All three tests had a high likelihood of correctly identifying dogs without B. suis infection, especially in low-prevalence settings. While each test is suitable for diagnosing B. suis in dogs, they work best when used together along with an evaluation of the dog’s risk factors and clinical history.

Kneipp, C. C., Coilparampil, R., Westman, M., Suann, M., Robson, J., Firestone, S. M., Malik, R., Mor, S. M., Stevenson, M. A., & Wiethoelter, A. K. (2024). Evaluation of three serological tests for the diagnosis of Brucella suis in dogs using Bayesian latent class analysis. Preventive veterinary medicine, 233, 106345. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2024.106345

I am Davide – Founder & CEO of Lab4Paws Paws. With my life science company I help #AnimalHealth scientists develop therapeutic & diagnostic solutions for companion animals and work to reduce animal testing for human drug development.

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