FidoCure^® Veterinary Team Blog

FidoCure is pioneering a revolutionary approach to treating canine cancer - bringing the power of precision medicine from human oncology to veterinary care. As the first and only service of its kind, FidoCure provides genomic testing to identify the unique genetic markers driving each dog's cancer. This information can guide individualized treatment plans and leverage cutting-edge targeted therapies and innovative medicines precisely matched to a patient's disease profile. Genomic sequencing can also provide valuable insights into diagnosis and prognosis, offering a more comprehensive understanding of the patient's condition.

Mammary tumors are common in intact female dogs, especially middle-aged and older dogs of smaller breeds like Poodles, Chihuahuas, and Dachshunds, though some larger breeds are also at higher risk. Hormonal exposure plays a key role, with dogs spayed before their first heat cycle having only a 0.5% risk. Treatment typically involves surgical removal, which is potentially curative if the tumor is completely removed. For more invasive, advanced or metastatic cases,. Overall prognosis is quite variable depending upon key clinical features such as histopathologic subtype, tumor size, and metastasis.

Histiocytic sarcoma (HS) is an aggressive cancer originating from white blood cells called histiocytes that are involved in the immune system. There are three main forms, (1) localized, which presents, at least initially, at a single site such as the bones, joints, or lungs, (2) disseminated, which involves multiple organ systems at diagnosis, and (3) hemophagocytic, characterized by cancerous histiocytes destroying blood cells. HS can affect almost any organ, with certain breeds being more susceptible. The localized form is typically treated with surgical removal and chemotherapy drugs like lomustine, doxorubicin, and others, while the disseminated form is typically not surgical and most often primarily treated with chemotherapy. The prognosis varies, with disseminated HS being very poor, localized cases averaging 3-4 months, but a subset achieving longer-term survival with aggressive treatment.

Melanoma is an aggressive cancer arising from pigment-producing cells, accounting for 7% of canine tumors with certain breeds at higher risk. The most common form is oral melanoma, which affects the mouth and gums, and has the potential to metastasize. Cutaneous melanomas can also occur but are less common than oral melanomas and are often benign. Treatment typically involves surgical removal followed by radiation therapy for local disease control as well as systemic therapy given the metastatic potential. Prognosis varies based on location and stage, with median survival around 17-18 months for stage I oral melanoma post-surgery down to 3 months for stage III, but dermal and ocular forms can have better outcomes with early intervention.

As we round out National Cancer Research Month, we want to highlight the important work being done by FidoCure researchers in comparative oncology. At FidoCure, we’ve pioneered canine cancer research backed by real-world evidence and published our findings in 4 of the most prestigious peer-reviewed scientific journals. Many of these papers are go-to sources for groundbreaking discoveries and advancements in cancer research. Our studies, led by FidoCure’s Head of Veterinary Research, Dr. Lucas Rodrigues, DVM, MS, PhD,  have shed light on the similarities between canine and human cancers, paving the way for novel treatment approaches that could benefit both humans and dogs alike.  Below, you can find the key points of Fidocure’s Nature, Precision Oncology, Elsevier and Veterinary & Comparative Oncology scientific papers.

One out of four pet dogs will be diagnosed with cancer throughout their lifetime. With nearly 6 million new canine cancer diagnoses each year, there is an urgent need for advanced treatments. Fortunately, FidoCure introduces advanced options into the cancer treatment toolbox for veterinarians and dogs, offering hope for improved outcomes.

Hemangiosarcoma is an aggressive, malignant tumor derived from blood vessel cells that grows rapidly, can cause severe bleeding, and has a high metastasis rate. It most commonly affects the spleen but can also occur in the heart, skin, and liver, with certain breeds like German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Labradors at higher risk. Treatment typically involves surgical removal followed by chemotherapy, though targeted therapies and supplemental approaches like metronomic therapy and mushroom extracts are showing promise. Despite aggressive conventional treatment, prognosis remains guarded, with median survival ranging from 1-7 months depending on tumor location and whether chemotherapy is pursued after surgery.

Precision medicine revolutionizes cancer care by tailoring treatments to each patient's tumor, but major roadblocks remain. These top articles dive into the key challenges holding personalized oncology back and emerging solutions companies like FidoCure are exploring. You'll find insights on innovative clinical trial designs, cutting-edge technologies enabling more precise therapies, and even how studying cancer in pet dogs could accelerate new targeted drug development for both human and veterinary medicine. 

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the most common tumor affecting canine urinary bladders. It is highly invasive, can obstruct urinary outflow, and has a moderate metastasis rate in areas like lymph nodes and lungs. Several factors increase TCC risk, including older flea products, lawn chemicals, obesity, being female, and certain breeds like Scottish Terriers and Shetland Sheepdogs. Treatment typically involves radiation therapy and chemotherapy rather than surgery due to the tumor's invasive nature and location. Furthermore, TCC can be targeted with precision therapies enabled by FidoCure such as trametinib and lapatinib. 

On World Vet Day, we wanted to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our veterinarians and vet techs who work with our dogs. In recognition, we asked FidoCure pet parents to nominate their vets and tell us why  they've made such an immense impact on the lives of their dogs.