New canine oral cancer drug to be trialled
Owners of dogs with oral melanoma are being encouraged to participate in the trial.
A pilot trial is set to be carried out to test the ability of a drug derived from berries to treat canine oral melanoma.
Researchers at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh, Scotland will assess the effectiveness of the drug tigilanol tiglate, which is derived from the berries of the blushwood tree, a species found in Queensland, Australia.
The drug, which disrupts blood vessels inside tumours without harming healthy tissue, is currently licensed to treat mast cell tumours. If it is shown to work to treat canine oral melanoma, it may save some dogs from having to undergo surgery.
The researchers hope that the trial could also provide insights that could benefit human medicine, as canine oral melanoma shares many features with human mucosal melanoma. In both diseases, symptoms typically remain hidden until the disease has already reached an advanced stage.
The research is being funded by QBiotics, the manufacturer of tigilanol tiglate, which it sells under the brand name Stelfonta.
The trial will involve eight dogs, although the number of participating animals may be increased if the initial results prove to be promising. Owners of eligible dogs are being asked to get in touch with the research team.
Kelly Blacklock, professor of small animal soft tissue surgery, said: “If successful, this treatment could transform the way we approach cancer therapy in veterinary medicine, sparing many dogs from the need for surgery.
“We encourage pet owners with dogs diagnosed with oral melanoma to consider participating in this trial. Your involvement could not only contribute to advancing treatment options for this challenging disease but also help improve the quality of life for dogs in the future.”
Eligible dog owners wishing to take part should email Professor Blacklock.
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Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
