Dogs Provide Great Help to Human Cancer Research

Mice rarely develop malignancy during their natural lives, but about half of dogs over the age of ten will get cancer. Cancer is the leading cause of death in aged dogs, paralleling the morbidity and mortality caused by these diseases in older humans. Many canine neoplasms are similar to those in humans on a molecular level, though the connection extends beyond biology as dogs share most aspects of the human environment. A large canine clinical trial was recently launched with the goal of developing a new cancer vaccine strategy that prevents tumor cells from developing into cancerous growths (1). After screening eight hundred dogs that had at least one of the eight common canine cancers, the team, led by Dr. Stephen Johnston, identified thirty-one tumor components that are generally found in both dogs and human patients (2). This cocktail was used to develop the cancer vaccine for this clinical trial. The canine participants will receive the vaccine and then be followed in their normal environment over the course of the study. If successful, this trial could provide the basis for a similar approach in humans.

GeneTex is proud to launch its new VetSignal™ line of reagents to advance veterinary science research. Please see the highlighted antibodies below and click here to view our full product listing.

IHC staining of a dog liver section with Cytokeratin 18 antibody – VetSignal™ (GTX134973)

ICC/IF staining of the canine cell line MDCK with ZO-1 antibody – VetSignal™ (GTX135089)

WB of the canine cell line MDCK with E-Cadherin antibody – VetSignal™ (GTX135001)

beta Catenin antibody - VetSignal™ (GTX134941)

Related:

1. VACCINATION AGAINST CANINE CANCER STUDY
2. World’s largest canine cancer vaccine trial begins