Help in the fight against canine mast cell tumors

Help in the fight against canine mast cell tumors


In November 2020, the FDA approved the first intratumoral [intra-TU-moral] drug to treat local canine mast cell tumors that haven’t spread. These tumors are the most common skin malignancies in dogs and because they can be tough to remove in total, a drug that kills remaining cells will keep them from spreading.

The drug is injected directly into the mast cell tumor where its active ingredient—tigilanol tiglate [TIG-uh-luh-nahl TIG-lāt], or TT for short—activates a protein that kills cancer cells. Studies have shown about a 75% rate of remission after one injection. So far, side effects have included wound formation over the tumor and swelling or discoloration at the injection site.

TT should only be administered by a veterinary clinician. Several other medications may be given at the same time to prevent a systemic reaction caused by manipulation of the tumor.

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