A Canine Cancer Vaccine Shows Promising Results
12:04 minutes
Dogs are by far the most popular pet in the United States: 62 million households have at least one. They are humans’ best friends, after all. Sadly, cancer is the leading cause of death in domestic dogs. And when a pet gets sick, it can be devastating for the entire family.
Lucky for dogs (and their people), there may soon be a breakthrough in treating canine cancer: a vaccine that can slow and even stop the spread of tumors. Clinical trial results are quite promising so far, increasing 12-month survival rates in dogs with some cancers from 35% to 60%. The research team also reports that in many dogs the vaccine shrinks tumors.
Joining guest host Kathleen Davis to talk about this novel therapy is Dr. Mark Mamula, professor of medicine at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. Mamula discusses this important breakthrough, and possible future applications for human cancer therapies.
Further Reading
- Find more information about clinical trials for this vaccine via Canine Cancer Alliance and TheraJan, which is seeking USDA approval to market the therapy.
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Segment Guests
Mark Mamula
Dr. Mark Mamula is a professor of Medicine at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut.
Segment Transcript
The transcript of this segment is being processed. It will be available within one week after the show airs.
Meet the Producer
About Kathleen Davis
@katjacquelineKathleen Davis is a producer at Science Friday, which means she spends the week brainstorming, researching, and writing, typically in that order. She’s a big fan of stories related to strange animal facts and dystopian technology.