Mast cell tumors (MCTs) are the most common skin tumor in dogs and the second most common in cats. Up to 14% of dogs and 50% of cats have multiple MCTs. In dogs, MCTs can be benign or malignant , while in cats, almost all are benign.
The drug , Tigilanol Toglate, has arrived thanks to Virbac, an independent company dedicated to animal health worldwide. It is a novel drug capable of destroying certain types of skin cancer, specifically targeting mast cell tumors, malignant tumors of the skin and subcutaneous tissue .
Its use represents a major advance in the health of our dogs, as it is injected directly into the tumor, avoiding surgery and chemotherapy. It also reduces the risk of removing skin or other healthy organs.
“Thanks to its triple-action mechanism, it induces tumor cell death, as well as a rapid, localized inflammatory response within the tumor, and directly destroys its vascular supply. The tumor resects and collapses on its own between 4 and 7 days after administration of the drug,” the company states.
Clinical trials have demonstrated complete cure in dogs in 96.5% of cases three months after treatment, and that 75% of these types of skin tumors are eliminated with a single treatment.
Ricardo Coedo, veterinarian and Technical Manager of animals at the Virbac company, tells LADRIDOS: “We are very happy to be able to help many dog owners today to offer the best treatment for their best friends .”
Skin cancer is the second most common type of cancer in dogs after breast cancer.
Coedo also explains how this novel drug works: “It involves an injection into the tumor that attempts to eliminate the mast cell tumor. The tumor dries up and falls off on its own between four and seven days after the drug is administered. The healing process takes approximately 28 days.”
It is the veterinarian who evaluates its use. Their decision depends on factors such as the area where the tumor is located, its depth, and the animal’s age.
Hopes for its effectiveness in humans are growing . Although for now it can only be used in canines and for a specific type of skin cancer (mast cell tumors), this novel treatment is already being studied for use in humans by clinical trials in Phase I/II. According to data from the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), skin cancer affects more than 6,000 Spaniards each year , and 90% of these cases are preventable.
Australian origin
In 2003, QBiotics signed a benefit-sharing agreement with the Australian government of Queensland, allowing access to state-owned tropical rainforest land for biodiscovery.
A year later, Tigilanol Toglate (EBC-46) was discovered as an anticancer compound. In 2020, Tigilanol Toglate was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and launched onto the EU market for the treatment of canine MCTs.
Types of skin cancer
Mast cell tumors
They are the most common type of skin cancer that can affect a dog . They develop in the mast cells of the immune system, specifically in the blood. While many appear on the skin, they can also occur internally and affect the spleen, liver, and other organs.
There’s no consensus on the causes, but sometimes, dogs prone to skin irritation or inflammation develop mast cell tumors more easily . They can vary widely in appearance and shape. Some are small bumps just below the skin’s surface, and others can appear extremely irritated and even ulcerated.
Malignant melanoma
This form of cancer originally develops in the skin cells that produce pigmentation, the melanocytes. Many dogs that develop malignant melanomas actually do so in the soft tissues of the mouth rather than on the skin’s surface, although both are possible. Malignant melanomas typically occur on the gums, tongue, and lips . Unlike humans, most dogs do not develop malignant melanomas as a result of sun exposure (UV exposure). Instead, the development of this form of cancer stems from a combination of factors, including genetic predispositions.
Malignant melanomas can range from mild to severe, depending on tumor size and growth rate. This form of cancer has a high tendency to metastasize (or spread) to other areas of the body.
Squamous cell carcinoma
This form of cancer develops in the cells of the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of skin cells on your dog’s body. It only accounts for 5% of skin cancer cases in dogs. It is usually caused by sun exposure, although researchers have also linked certain viral infections to the development of squamous cell carcinoma. While tumors of this type grow slowly , they can be quite aggressive. This can lead to extensive tissue loss around the tumor. But unlike malignant melanomas, they do not have a strong tendency to spread to the lymph nodes and metastasize throughout the body.