This is actually a really significant event: recently major pharmaceutical company
Pfizer announced that the
FDA had approved a new drug specifically for use in the treatment of cancer in dogs. The name of the drug is Palladia, and it is approved for use in dogs for the treatment of cutaneous (skin) mast cell tumors.
The reason this is such a big deal is that it shows that the big drug companies are interested in developing drugs specifically for pets. We've been treating cancer in pets for many years, but it has always been with products approved for human use. It's great to have safety and usage data specifically from companion animals right off the bat. Usually we have to wait for that research to be done after the product is approved for use in humans, and this takes time. Hopefully, this drug will be successful, both in treating cancer, and as a financial success for Pfizer. That way, other companies will see that the pet market can be lucrative, and this might stimulate further drug development.
Right now Palladia is available free, but only through specialists of the
American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). (The ACVIM is the veterinary group that trains and certifies veterinary internists and oncologists). It's important to note that the drug is free, but there may be other charges for administering the drug, exam fees, bloodwork, x-rays, etc. that will need to be performed in order to make sure the pet is a good candidate for this treatment. We have Palladia at TVEC; call us for more information.
It's early to really judge the drug yet, but this looks like a significant, and positive, step in the treatment of cancer in dogs.
Delia is a fantastic girl, and we enjoy seeing her. It's always a mixed emotion though; we love the patients, but we wish they didn't have to come see us so often!
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