Pilot study of p62 DNA vaccine in dogs with mammary tumors

Our previous data demonstrated profound anti-tumor and anti-metastatic effects
of p62 (sqstm1) DNA vaccine in rodents with various types of transplantable tumors.
Testing anti-cancer medicine in dogs as an intermediary step of translational research
program provides two major benefits. First, clinical data collected in target animals
is required for FDA/USDA approval as a veterinary anti-cancer drug or vaccine. It
is noteworthy that the veterinary community is in need of novel medicine for the
prevention and treatment of canine and feline cancers. The second more important
benefit of testing anti-cancer vaccines in dogs is that spontaneous tumors in dogs
may provide invaluable information for human trials. Here, we evaluated the effect(s)
of p62 DNA vaccine on mammary tumors of dogs. We found that p62DNA vaccine
administered i.m. decreased or stabilized growth of locally advanced lesions in
absence of its overall toxic effects. The observed antitumor activity was associated
with lymphocyte infiltration and tumor encapsulation via fibrotic reaction. This data
justifies both human clinical trials and veterinary application of p62 DNA.