Drug developed at U of M increases survival in dogs with cancer; shows potential for humans

A College of Veterinary Medicine research trial testing a new drug resulted in improved survival rates for dogs diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma.

“This is likely the most significant advance in the treatment of canine hemangiosarcoma in the last three decades,” says study coauthor Jaime Modiano, VMD, PhD, professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, director of the Animal Cancer Care and Research program, and member of the Masonic Cancer Center. “This drug was invented here at the University of Minnesota, developed here, manufactured here, tested here, and showed positive results here. We would also like this drug to achieve positive outcomes for humans here.” The lead study author was Antonella Borgatti, DVM, MS, DACVIM, associate professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Services. The results were published in the journal Molecular Cancer Therapeutics.