Hope for Curing Canine Cancer

The first canine cancer therapy in the United States has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Palladia™ was developed by Pfizer Animal Health to treat mast cell tumors in dogs. The announcement was made to veterinarians attending the 2009 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Forum and Canadian Medical Association Convention.
Mast cell tumors are the second most common tumor type and are often seen as lumps in the skin. These tumors are classified as grade I, II or III, with grade III being the most severe. If not treated, they can spread to other parts of the body including lymph nodes.
According to the Morris Animal Foundation, cancer is a leading cause of death in dogs. Pfizer Animal Health estimates 1.2 million new canine cancer cases are reported in the U.S. every year.
"In the weeks and months ahead, Pfizer will introduce Palladia to boarded specialists to expand the body of clinical experience with this new therapy," said George Fennell, Companion Animal Division, Pfizer Animal Health. "The experience gained during this time will enable us to support veterinarians more effectively when we make the product available for purchase in early 2010."
The drug works by blocking the activity of key receptors important for the development of blood vessels that supply tumors, as well as receptors critical for tumor survival.
"At the completion of a Palladia clinical study, approximately 60 percent of dogs had their tumors disappear, shrink or stop growing," said Cheryl London, DVM, PhD, board-certified medical oncologist and associate professor at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. "Also, we determined that dogs whose tumors responded to Palladia experienced an improved quality of life."
Dr. London has worked with Pfizer Animal Health’s Veterinary Medicine Research & Development in developing Palladia since 2000.
Pet caregivers are encouraged to consult with their local veterinarians about options for their dogs with cancer, who may then refer appropriate cases to specialists for treatment with Palladia.
For more information, visit www.CureCanineCancer.org and www.palladia-pi.com.