Canine osteosarcoma study presented at American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine forum

Advaxis Inc., a biotechnology company developing cancer immunotherapies, has announced that principal investigator Nicola Mason, BVet.Med, PhD, DACVIM, of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, will present updated data from the ongoing ADXS-cHER2 study in canine osteosarcoma at the 2014 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Forum on June 5, 2014, in Nashville, Tennessee. ADXS-cHER2 is an immunotherapy that targets the HER2 oncogene, which is overexpressed in certain solid-tumor cancers, including pediatric bone cancer and breast cancer.

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In her presentation, "Clinical Evaluation of a HER2/neu-Targeting Vaccine to Prevent Metastatic Osteosarcoma," Mason will provide updated data from the ongoing study in pet dogs with osteosarcoma. "We are excited that Dr. Mason will be presenting these encouraging data from our canine trial at the ACVIM Forum, which focuses on the latest developments in animal health," said Daniel J. O'Connor, CEO of Advaxis. "Without question, her research has not only been groundbreaking in the treatment of canine osteosarcoma, but the results have also affirmed the potential of ADXS-cHER2 as a treatment for a host of human cancers, including bone cancer and breast cancer, where the HER2 oncogene is overexpressed. In particular, these data, along with the strong parallel between canine and pediatric bone cancer, were instrumental in our recent decision to pursue a clinical development program with ADXS-cHER2 in pediatric osteosarcoma."

Animal Cancer Center seeks overweight dogs for pet food study

Colorado State University researchers are seeking overweight dogs to participate in a new weight-loss study, conducted by the Animal Cancer Center, to determine if a new petfood can be digested more easily and is effective in reducing hunger.
During the study, dogs will be given three regular blood tests for signs that the food also helps prevent cancer and is suitable for dogs with allergies. The dogs will also receive the specially formulated diet for one month. Participating dogs will be required to visit the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA for the blood tests and physical exams. Pet owners will be required to measure their pet's food intake and collect fecal samples.
To participate, dogs must be otherwise in good health, be between 2 and 7 years old, weigh more than 22 pounds, and have a body-condition score between six and nine. Participating owners will get a US$50 credit toward any services or product offered at the teaching hospital. For more information on the trial, call +1.970.297.4144  or email cadie.ollila@colostate.edu.

Dog breed study results helpful in creating breed-specific diets

A study recently released by the University of Georgia provides a comprehensive look at the causes of death in more than 80 dog breeds, which can be used as a basis for creating breed-specific petfood diets to manage health.
The study, published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, examined data from the Veterinary Medical Database to determine the cause of death for nearly 75,000 dogs from 82 breeds over a 20-year period, from 1984 through 2004. The deaths were classified by organ system and disease process, then data was further analyzed by breed, age and average body mass. 
The study found that toy breeds, such as Chihuahuas and Maltese, which are known to have high rates of cardiovascular disease, had 19% and 21% of deaths within the breeds, respectively. Researchers found that Fox Terriers also have high rates of cardiovascular disease, with 16% of deaths. Two dog breeds that are known for high rates of death from cancer are Golden Retrievers, found to have a 50% death rate, and Boxers, found to have a 44% death rate. However, researchers found that the Bouvier des Flandres actually had a higher death rate from cancer (47%) than the Boxer. One of the study's co-authors, Dr. Kate Creevy, noted that the previously unknown high risk of cancer in the Bouvier, a relatively rare breed, highlights the power of the study's comprehensive approach.
The researchers found that larger breeds are more likely to die of musculoskeletal disease, gastrointestinal disease and, most notably, cancer. Smaller breeds had higher death rates from metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and Cushing’s disease. The findings may be useful in determining breed-specific diets that could reduce the dog's risk of developing disease or certain problems to which the breed is prone.
“If we can anticipate better how things can go wrong for dogs, we can manage their wellness to keep them as healthy as possible,” said Dr. Creevy.