Canine T-Cell Project

09/26/2025

Heartfelt thanks to FidoCure for your outstanding work. Team Perseus truly appreciates you. 🐾❤️🐾

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” treatment for cancer. That’s why FidoCure® uses genomic testing to determine the best course of action for your dog’s cancer therapy – beyond standard chemo and radiation.

FidoCure uses genomic testing, the largest clinico-genomic canine cancer database, and AI to develop personalized, targeted therapies for canine cancer.

Their platform helps veterinarians make informed decisions for treatment by identifying cancer-causing genetic mutations and suggesting precision therapies that are safe and effective.

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250514423630/en/FidoCure-Study-Unlocks-Breakthroughs-in-Deadliest-Dog-Cancer

🎉Warmest Congratulations🎉

www.fidocure.com

09/26/2025

We just had to share one more time

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1H5ChCrmsg/?mibextid=wwXIfr

09/26/2025

📣OncoBit of Information.

CAR T-cell therapy involves genetically engineering a patient's own T cells (red) to attack cancer cells (red and blue).

Treatment that uses the patients’ immune cells has grown in importance. Adoptive transfer of T cells provides a novel approach in the fight against cancer. T cells are removed from the blood stream and those cells that are specifically fighting the cancer are selected and expanded. Recently, Novartis has won FDA approval for a unique form of T cell therapy using CAR T therapy.

Credit: iStock/Melletios Verras.

09/26/2025

09/24/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BWSLpDpzo/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🐾It's understandable to find asking questions difficult during a pet cancer diagnosis due to emotion and information overload; the best approach is to be prepared, write down questions, and take notes. Focus on your pet's specific diagnosis, the treatment options and their side effects, the prognosis, the costs, and your goals for your pet's quality of life. The oncologist can help guide the conversation, and don't hesitate to ask for clarification or information about supportive resources. 🐾

⏰ Before the Appointment

Talk to your primary veterinarian: to understand the diagnosis and any immediate concerns.

✅Make a list of questions: as they come to mind, even if they seem small or emotionally charged.

🤔Consider your goals: for your pet's treatment and quality of life.

📕Research: the type of cancer your pet has and treatment options, but don't feel you need to be an expert before the appointment.

During the Appointment

🙋‍♂️❓🙋‍♀️Inquire about the diagnosis: and what it means for your pet.

👨‍⚕️Inquire about all treatment options, their potential benefits, side effects, costs, and the time commitment involved.

🗣️Discuss prognosis and quality of life, including signs of pain and how to recognize when treatment may no longer be an option.

😬Don't be afraid to ask for clarification: if you don't understand something.

📝Take notes: to help remember information.
Ask for resources: on support groups, additional information, or potential clinical trials.
🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

After the Appointment

🖊️Review your notes: and any information provided by the oncologist.

☎️Contact the clinic: if you think of new questions or have immediate concerns about side effects.

👩👨👩‍⚕️Consider joining: an online or in-person support group for pet owners facing cancer.

Consuder taking a perk st “ Talking To Your Vet” an excellent guide prepared by PetCure Oncology.

https://petcureoncology.com/wp-content/uploads/Talking-To-Your-Vet-About-Cancer-20240524.pdf

09/21/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B4spyWKT1/?mibextid=wwXIfr

09/20/2025

🐾Canine histiocytic sarcoma (HS) 🐾is a highly aggressive type of cancer that occurs more frequently in certain breeds, including Bernese mountain dog (BMD) (>25%), flat-coated retriever (36%), golden retriever, Rottweiler, and miniature schnauzer. Dogs with HS invariably carry a poor prognosis due to a rapid disease progression and limited effective clinical arsenal.

It is characterized by the proliferation of histiocytes, which are white blood cells that play a role in the immune system.

Causes and Risk Factors

Age: Middle-aged and older dogs are more likely to be affected.

Breed: Bernese Mountain dogs, Flat-coated Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Labrador Retrievers are predisposed to histiocytic sarcoma.

Genetics: Some dogs may have a genetic predisposition to developing this cancer.

Symptoms

The symptoms of histiocytic sarcoma can vary depending on the location and severity of the tumor. Common signs may include:

Lumps or masses
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Fever
Pain
Difficulty breathing
Bone pain and lameness

Diagnosis

To diagnose histiocytic sarcoma, a veterinarian will perform a physical exam, take a medical history, and recommend tests such as:
Blood work

Fine needle aspiration or biopsy of the tumor
Imaging studies (e.g., X-rays, ultrasound, CT scan)

Treatment

Treatment options for histiocytic sarcoma depend on the location and extent of the tumor. Surgery may be an option for localized tumors, while chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be used for more widespread cases.

🐾Phase II - Multicenter Clinical Trial of Trametinib for Dogs with Histiocytic Sarcoma🐾

In this proposed trial, the University of Wisconsin will investigate a novel drug, Trametinib, to determine the antitumor activity (shrinkage of tumor) of the drug in dogs with histiocytic sarcoma using progression-free survival (PFS).

For information:

https://veterinaryclinicaltrials.org/study/VCT24005793

09/16/2025

Friends, We are excited and delighted to introduce Gunner!🎉🐾🎉 Isn’t he handsome❤️

Gunner was treated for a right cerebral intraparenchymal mass (brain tumor) with conventionally fractionated radiation therapy (CFRT) by the PetCure Oncology Team Radiosurgery and Imaging Center.

Warmest Congratulations Gunner! 🐾

Overview

An intraparenchymal mass is a brain tumor that grows within the brain's brain tissue itself, often presenting with symptoms like seizures, altered behavior, coordination issues, and changes in vision or mentation. Diagnosis involves imaging like MRI or CT scans, and treatment options can include surgery, radiation therapy, or palliative care, with outcomes depending on the tumor type and location.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on the tumor's location but often include:
Seizures: The most common clinical sign of a brain tumor in dogs.
Neurological Signs: Altered mentation (mental blunting, stupor, coma), circling, loss of coordination, and an unsteady gait.
Behavioral Changes: Aggression, increased sensitivity to touch, hiding, lethargy, or changes in sleeping patterns.
Vision Problems: Blindness, abnormal pupil size, or dilated pupils.
Other Signs: A head tilt, changes in appetite, or difficulty with urination/bowel control.
Diagnosis
A veterinarian will likely perform a physical exam and a minimum database (bloodwork) to rule out systemic diseases. Advanced imaging is essential for diagnosis:
MRI or CT Scan: Essential for visualizing the tumor and determining its type and location within the brain.
Biopsy: May be performed to determine the specific type of tumor.
Treatment
Treatment aims to remove or reduce the tumor's size and manage secondary effects like brain swelling:
Surgery: The preferred option for complete tumor removal when possible.
Radiation Therapy: Used for tumors that are not operable, or for tumors that cannot be completely removed surgically.
Palliative Care: Includes anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers to manage symptoms and improve the dog's quality of life.
Chemotherapy: Not commonly used for primary brain tumors.

09/14/2025

Good news in veterinary oncology includes the increasing availability of specialized treatments like CAR T-cell therapy, 💉advanced diagnostics such as blood-based cancer screening tests, 🩸and a growing understanding of using comparative oncology to develop therapies for both pets and humans. 🦠

Developments in AI for pathology, expanded access to information for pet owners, and the integration of palliative and integrative therapies are also improving outcomes, offering more options and hope for pets with cancer.

Advances in Treatments

CAR T-cell Therapy:
A promising new therapy involves injecting CAR T-cells directly into a dog's lymph nodes to target and kill cancer cells, showing early signs of success.

Immunotherapy:
Combining different therapies, such as low-dose radiation therapy and immunotherapy, has shown promise in eradicating metastatic cancer in mice.

Targeted Therapies:
New antibodies are being developed and studied for their effectiveness against specific cancers, such as oral melanoma in dogs.

Improved Diagnostics & Understanding

Blood-Based Screening Tests:
New tests, like those that measure nucleosomes, can detect cancer by identifying biomarkers released when cancer or inflammation is present, making it easier to catch diseases like lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma.

Artificial Intelligence (AI):
AI is being used in digital pathology to improve the accuracy and efficiency of grading cancers like soft tissue sarcoma.

Comparative Oncology:
The field continues to benefit from the comparative oncology model, which uses dogs with cancer as a translational model for humans, leading to a deeper understanding of cancer in both species.

Better Access & Quality of Life

Integrated Therapies:
Integrating supportive and palliative care enhances a pet's quality of life and survival.

Expanded Information:
There's an increased effort to provide comprehensive information and options for pet owners, from early detection to treatment discussions, helping them navigate the diagnosis and treatment journey.

🔮The Future

Market Growth:

The veterinary oncology market is growing, indicating increased investment in research and development for new diagnostics and treatments. 📈

Community Data:

Initiatives like the Darwin's Ark study are collecting large datasets of genetic and behavioral information from pets, which can accelerate future research and benefit both purebred and mixed-breed dogs. 🐶🐕‍🦺🐕

09/14/2025

Canine Leukemia.

📣While there are no major breakthroughs in canine leukemia specifically slated for 2026, advances in related fields—such as lymphoma research, immunotherapies, and personalized medicine—are offering promising new options. Dogs are often key participants in comparative oncology trials, meaning advancements in human cancer research can quickly translate to veterinary medicine. 📣

🐾Immunotherapy and cell therapies

🐾Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy: This therapy genetically modifies a dog's own immune cells to seek out and destroy cancer cells.

In early 2025, the University of Missouri announced promising results from a canine trial for B-cell lymphoma, using human-derived CAR T-cells.

🐾Clinical trials for CAR T-cell therapy targeting CD20+ B-cell lymphoma are ongoing at major veterinary institutions, with results expected to inform future therapies.

🐾Comparative oncology trials: The National Cancer Institute is leading trials that use companion dogs with naturally occurring cancers to validate new immunotherapies. This research includes using intratumorally administered vaccines to improve the immune system's response to cancer.

🐾Adoptive cell therapy: Companies like Aurelius Biotherapeutics are developing immunotherapy that uses a dog's own immune system to fight cancer. This approach is already available for as an of ongoing innovation that could impact leukemia.

🐾Genomic and personalized medicine.

Individualized treatment plans: Companies like ImpriMed offer personalized drug response predictions for canine lymphoma and leukemia. By analyzing cells from a specific dog's cancer, veterinarians can choose the most effective drugs and improve outcomes. This approach moves beyond standard chemotherapy protocols.

🐾Lymphoma genomics: Researchers participating in the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study are using genomic sequencing to look for cancer biomarkers in dogs. These findings could lead to new strategies for earlier detection and treatment of lymphomas and potentially leukemias in both dogs and humans.

🐾Drug development and clinical trials

Specific leukemia and lymphoma trials: As of 2025, clinical trials are ongoing for new agents to treat canine lymphoma, which may also inform leukemia treatments due to the similar nature of these blood cancers. Examples include evaluating novel anti-cancer agents and testing known chemotherapy agents alongside gene-modifying drugs.

How this translates to 2026:

While a new drug specific to canine leukemia with a firm 2026 release date has not been announced, the rapid developments mean veterinarians will likely be able to:

Offer access to more clinical trials for advanced immunotherapies, including CAR T-cell therapy.
Implement personalized treatment protocols using advanced genomic and drug-sensitivity testing.

Leverage innovations from comparative oncology research, particularly for lymphoma, to improve treatment strategies for leukemia.

09/08/2025

Happy Birthday Petrah Margarita! 🎂🎈🎉Petrah is a patient Oncovet PR in Puerto Rico and she is as beautiful inside as she is outside. 🌸🌸🐾

Petrah has large cell lymphoma and is receiving chemotherapy. Thank you
Dr. Irene Vázquez Fuster for your excellence in care. 💞

We are rooting for you sweet Petrah! 🌸