Dogs develop tumors spontaneously

Our Efficacy Model for Cancer Research uses affected companion dogs looking for a better cancer treatment to evaluate the efficacy of new compounds

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Translated Research Models:

1. Dose, PK and PD data

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New chemotherapy agent, target therapy and immunotherapy can be used in this platform. After mice study we can plan a Phase I Companion Animal Clinical trial and have toxicity, pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) information.

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2. Efficacy data

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We can design clinical trials in companion animals selecting a subgroup of dogs with specific clinical staying, histology and molecular subtype.

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Clinical Staging

Early or late disease stage

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Histology 

You can evaluate the efficacy of your compound for specific histology type according to your compound activity, you can also determined the grading of the tumor to study.

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Molecular Subtype

Molecular classification of tumors can be performed for target therapy and for a better characterization of the tumor. 

Canine mammary tumors are not common in United States due to dog's early spay, Ridge Research developed an international recruitment sites to be able to enroll a high number of affected dogs. Canine mammary gland carcinoma is a well-known animal model for human breast cancer and can be used to get data for you compound helping to design human clinical trials.  

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Tumors are developed in dogs spontaneously without chemical or genetic induce, and there are close similarities between molecular, anatomic clinical features comparing human breast cancer and canine mammary tumors. Dogs share the same environment as humans with highly comparable nutritional needs, and naturally develop various cancers with a shorter natural history.

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• age and disease development

• hormonal etiology

• identical course of the disease

• Important facts that affect the clinical outcome: tumor size, clinical stage, lymph node infiltration and lung metastasis

• Histology similarities

  • Molecular characteristics: steroid receptor, epidermal growth factor (EGF), proliferation markers, metalloproteinase, COX-2, p53

  • Similar immunoresponse: similar tumor inflammatory cells in the tumor

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Clinical trials in companion animals is a go/no-go decision. Is much more reliable compared to mouse model. You can save money and move to phase I  human clinical trial a compound with a higher chance to work.