At FidoCure, we're pioneering a revolutionary approach to treating canine cancer by bringing the power of precision medicine from human oncology to veterinary care. If your beloved dog has been diagnosed with cancer, you may have been told that the treatment options are limited. However, thanks to groundbreaking research and innovative technologies, there's new hope in the form of precision cancer drugs originally developed for humans.
Recent studies have revealed remarkable similarities between canine and human cancers at the genetic level. Dogs share the same environmental carcinogens as their human counterparts, making them an excellent model for studying human cancers. A study comparing over 42,000 genetic mutations across nearly 700 canine tumor samples and 25,000 human tumors found an incredible overlap in the key mutations driving cancers in both species.
This genetic similarity means that many cancer-causing mutations in dogs can potentially be targeted by existing precision cancer drugs, such as small molecule therapies, originally designed for treating human cancers. These targeted therapies take a personalized approach by focusing on the specific genetic drivers fueling a patient's cancer growth.
Under the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994, veterinarians can legally prescribe FDA-approved human drugs for animals in an "extra-label" use when no animal-approved option exists. This opens the door for dogs with cancer to access advanced targeted therapies designed to counteract their tumor's particular genetic profile.
A recent study published in Nature Precision Oncology tested this concept with remarkable results. The three-year study enrolled over 2,100 dogs with cancer across 200 veterinary clinics. Dogs received precision treatment plans using existing human cancer drugs strategically selected based on the genomic makeup of their tumors. The study found that dogs treated with the most appropriate targeted cancer therapy based on their specific genetic mutations experienced significantly improved outcomes compared to those receiving less well-matched therapies.
At FidoCure, we prioritize the safety and well-being of our canine patients. Our approach includes:
By precisely targeting a dog's cancer mutations, these therapies may be better tolerated with fewer harsh side effects compared to conventional chemotherapies that indiscriminately attack healthy cells.
As our understanding of cancer genetics advances for both humans and dogs, more targeted therapies will likely become available to treat our beloved pets in a safer, more effective way. The growing banks of real-world canine clinical data are accelerating the development of new precision cancer drugs for both veterinary and human applications.
This "one health" approach, bridging insights across species, is brightening the future of cancer management and treatment for both humans and our canine companions. If your dog has been diagnosed with cancer, speak to your veterinarian about exploring precision medicine options like those offered by FidoCure. These powerful new treatments using innovative therapies designed for humans could offer renewed hope in the fight against canine cancer.