422: Tailored Antitumor Vaccines for Canine Hemangiosarcoma
Grant Status: Closed
Abstract
Canine hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is an incurable tumor of cells that line blood vessels. Of the approximately 65 million owned dogs in the United States, between 1.5 and 2.5 million will get this disease and die from it. We are developing tests to detect this tumor in its early stages when the immune system may be directed to eliminate it. Immune system cells must see proper "targets" (antigens) for an effective attack. We have identified such antigens that can be incorporated into effective anti-tumor vaccines. Preliminary experiments in laboratory mice show that about 90 percent of animals that receive no vaccine develop tumors, but 100 percent of mice that receive the specific tumor vaccine are protected from tumor growth. We predict that incorporation of these specific antigens into dog specific HAS vaccines will prevent tumor growth. These "tailored" vaccines that are specific for each patient�s tumor can be generated in days, and therefore, this approach is practical for clinical applications. We will validate clinical responses and immunologic outcomes in a mouse model, with long-term goals of developing treatment protocols to improve the quality of life and survival of dogs with HSA.
Publication(s)
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