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1787: Clinical Advancement of a Cancer Vaccine in Dogs

Grant Status: Open

Grant Amount: $96,660

Dr. Nicola J Mason, BVetMed, PhD, University of Pennsylvania

January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2014

Sponsor(s): American Belgian Tervuren Club, Inc., American Spaniel Club Foundation, Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute, Canaan Dog Club of America, Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America, Clumber Spaniel Health Foundation, Flat-Coated Retriever Foundation, Golden Retriever Foundation, Great Dane Club of America, Irish Wolfhound Foundation, Newfoundland Club of America Charitable Trust, Old English Sheepdog Club of America, Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America, Portuguese Water Dog Foundation, Puli Club of America, Inc., United States Australian Shepherd Foundation

Breed(s): Akita, American Foxhound, Basset Hound, Bloodhound, Border Collie, Boxer, Bulldog, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, Golden Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, Kerry Blue Terrier, Labrador Retriever, Newfoundland, Rottweiler, Sealyham Terrier, Tibetan Terrier

Disease(s): Lymphoma

Research Program Area: Oncology - Lymphoma

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Abstract

Canine lymphoma is the most common blood-based cancer in dogs with an estimated annual incidence of 30/100,000. Chemotherapy induces remission in 75-85% of patients; however, the majority of patients relapse with drug-resistant lymphoma within 8-10 months of diagnosis and most dogs die of their disease shortly thereafter. Cell-based vaccine strategies that stimulate anti-tumor immunity have shown promise in the treatment of many different cancer types including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in humans. In a previous study Dr. Mason developed a cell-based vaccine to induce anti-tumor immunity in dogs with NHL. Initial studies were hopeful as this early vaccine significantly prolonged second remission duration and overall survival, but ultimately the vaccine did not prevent relapse. These early findings suggest that while the lymphoma vaccine stimulated anti-tumor immunity it will require immunological boosting to achieve prolonged cancer-free survival. In the current study, Dr. Mason will optimize her cell-based vaccine approach to induce functional, long lasting tumor-specific immune responses that will prevent relapse and prolong survival in dogs with NHL.