ejano Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 Just caught a blurb on one of the morning news shows regarding a new FDA approved treatment for dogs with mast cell cancers. Does anyone know any more about this new treatment? (FDA news release posted below). Thankfully our dogs are healthy, but I'm curious in the event of some untoward event, particularly with Ladybug who is over eight years old now. We lost a dog to lymphoma cancer at age 12. Liz http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/Pre...s/ucm164118.htm FDA NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release: June 3, 2009 Media Inquiries: Siobhan DeLancey, 301-796-4668 Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA FDA: First Drug to Treat Cancer in Dogs Approved The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced the approval of Palladia (toceranib phosphate), the first drug developed specifically for the treatment of cancer in dogs. Palladia is approved to treat canine cutaneous (skin-based) mast cell tumors, a type of cancer responsible for about 1 out of 5 cases of canine skin tumors. The drug is approved to treat the tumors with or without regional lymph node involvement. All cancer drugs now used in veterinary medicine originally were developed for use in humans and are not approved for use in animals. Cancer treatments used in animals are used in an “extra-label” manner as allowed by the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994. "This cancer drug approval for dogs is an important step forward for veterinary medicine," said Bernadette Dunham, D.V.M., Ph.D., director of FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. "Prior to this approval, veterinarians had to rely on human oncology drugs, without knowledge of how safe or effective they would be for dogs. Today's approval offers dog owners, in consultation with their veterinarian, an option for treatment of their dog's cancer." While canine mast cell tumors often appear small and insignificant, they can be a very serious form of cancer in dogs. Some mast cell tumors are easily removed without the development of any further problems, while others can lead to life threatening disease. Palladia is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor and works in two ways: by killing tumor cells and by cutting off the blood supply to the tumor. In a clinical trial, Palladia showed a statistically significant difference in tumor shrinkage when compared with an inactive substance (placebo). The most common side effects associated with Palladia are diarrhea, decrease or loss of appetite, lameness, weight loss, and blood in the stool. Palladia is manufactured by Pfizer Animal Health Inc., New York City. For more information: Palladia approval summary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 Hmmm...I'm taking Willow to VSH in Cary tomorrow to see if she's eligible to be entered in a study for a mast cell tumor treatment. This is a phase 2 study (no placebo--all dogs will get some form of treatment, either the experimental drug or a conventional treatment--in Willow's case two different conventional treatments have failed to prevent recurrence). Since I'll be seeing an oncologist, I'll ask about this new drug as well. Thanks for posting the information. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejano Posted October 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 Hmmm...I'm taking Willow to VSH in Cary tomorrow to see if she's eligible to be entered in a study for a mast cell tumor treatment. This is a phase 2 study (no placebo--all dogs will get some form of treatment, either the experimental drug or a conventional treatment--in Willow's case two different conventional treatments have failed to prevent recurrence). Since I'll be seeing an oncologist, I'll ask about this new drug as well. Thanks for posting the information. J. I thought of you and Willow when I saw the piece. Hope you find some good answers! Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted October 20, 2009 Report Share Posted October 20, 2009 Good luck with Willow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted October 20, 2009 Report Share Posted October 20, 2009 Well we were a day late and a dollar short on the clinical trial, which was closed by the drug manufacturer (or whomever was supporting it) at 3 p.m. yesterday. So we are putting Willow on Palladia. We'll see how it goes. Although all the clinical trials are done, much can be learned when it goes out into the general population of dogs. Because of that, she will have to have weekly bloodwork for a period of time, assuming she doesn't have any real issues with side effects. I'll keep you updated on how we progress. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejano Posted October 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2009 Well we were a day late and a dollar short on the clinical trial, which was closed by the drug manufacturer (or whomever was supporting it) at 3 p.m. yesterday. So we are putting Willow on Palladia. We'll see how it goes. Although all the clinical trials are done, much can be learned when it goes out into the general population of dogs. Because of that, she will have to have weekly bloodwork for a period of time, assuming she doesn't have any real issues with side effects. I'll keep you updated on how we progress. J. Here's hoping she responds to the treatment. Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.