The biotechnology company, Advaxis, has been developing new immunotherapies for cancer and infectious diseases for a number of years.
Their veterinary program is evaluating a listeria-based vaccine for the treatment of osteosarcoma (OSA) in dogs. Listeria is a food-borne infectious bacteria that can survive refrigeration and even freezing. It is commonly found in delimeats not properly processed and in unpasteurized milk products.
In cooperation with the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Advaxis is conducting studies in listeria-based immunotherapy in canine OSA.
Dr. Yvonne Patterson, Professor of Microbiology, Associate Dean for Postdoctoral Research and Director of Biomedical Postdoctoral Programs at the University of Pennsylvania came up with the idea of modifying and using listeria to stimulate the immune system to recognize cancer cells as foreign objects and attack them. Hopefully this will improve the survival time of dogs with OSA and, with success, result in treatment for humans with the disease.
For information on clinical trials for dogs with OSA, please contact Dr. Nicola Mason at [email protected].
