AN experimental treatment for an aggressive form of cancer in dogs may lead to new care options for humans battling the disease.
The interim results of a trial of a new immunotherapy treatment in dogs with soft tissue sarcomas have produced promising results.
The trial has been carried out by researchers at Curtin University and West Australian cancer immunology company Selvax, in cooperation with Perth Veterinary Specialists.
In its early stages, it has resulted in significant cure rates in the first group of ten dogs tested at the lowest of three dose levels.
Researcher Delia Nelson said 30 per cent of dogs treated had shown complete remission from their cancers and none had shown any toxic side effects.
"Dogs develop similar sarcomas to humans and current treatment options have been limited," Associate Professor Nelson said.
She said this had resulted in a significant number of pets with advanced cancers needing to be euthanized.
"Sarcomas are also common and difficult to treat tumours in humans," she said.
Associate Professor Nelson said sarcomas accounted for 20 per cent of cancers in children and 15 per cent of cancers in adolescents and young adults.
"The interim results of this trial strongly suggest that with continued development this treatment could have potential for treatment of sarcomas in humans."
Selvax Director Tony Fitzgerald said the immunotherapy treatment had been tested in repeated trials in small animals with eight different solid tumours.
"It has demonstrated sustained cure rates ranging from 30 per cent to more than 90 per cent in the case of colorectal cancer without adverse side effects," Mr Fitzgerald said.
"Selvax also achieved a cure rate of 80 per cent in its small animal trials for osteosarcomas, with long term protection against recurrence."
For more information about Curtin's collaboration with Selvax, click here.
