TUMOR IMMUNOTHERAPIES: THE FORGOTTEN HOLY GRAIL IN CANCER-BEARING COMPANION ANIMALS

摘要

In industrialized countries, where the practice of preventative veterinary medicine has nearly eliminated morbidity and mortality associated with infectious disease processes (parasitic infestations and lethal viral infections), the development of cancer is among the most life4hreatening disease conditions for the geriatric companion animal population. Recent statistics suggest that 25 percent of companion dogs will be diagnosed with cancer and die from this disease. Conventional therapeutic modalities instituted for the treatment of various tumor histologies in dogs and cats include surgery, radiation therapy, and systemic chemotherapy. Despite multimodality treatment protocols, the management of resistant micrometastatic disease and surgically inoperative neoplasms remains problematic in companion animals and people.