New canine cancer treatment available

A leading veterinary journal has just published results from a pivotal canine field study of STELFONTA® (tigilanol tiglate), the lead anticancer pharmaceutical from Australian life sciences company, QBiotics Group Limited (QBiotics). 

The study—published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine—of 123 client-owned dogs demonstrated that in those with Mast Cell Tumours (MCTs), a single intratumoural injection of STELFONTA® removed 75 per cent of MCTs at day 28, significantly higher compared to untreated controls.

Further, the trial showed no recurrence in 93 per cent of STELFONTA®-treated dogs at day 84. Importantly, the treatment was well tolerated, and animals had a good quality of life during and after treatment. 

STELFONTA® is a first-in-class pharmaceutical treatment for all grades of MCT now available in Europe and may be launched in the USA and Australia, pending approvals. 

“The study determined STELFONTA® is an efficacious and well-tolerated new option for the local treatment of canine MCT,” leading US veterinary oncologist Dr Chad Johannes said. 

“STELFONTA® is administered by injection directly into the tumour. Generally, dogs undergoing treatment do not require sedation or anaesthesia, which carries potential increased risk for older dogs and brachycephalic breeds.” 

Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs, and MCTs are the second most frequent canine cancer diagnosed. STELFONTA® represents an additional treatment option for MCT where surgical removal of the tumour mass is currently the standard of care. 

The launch of STELFONTA® marks the first commercialisation of QBiotics’ lead anticancer compound tigilanol tiglate and creates a repeatable revenue stream for the company. 

“The inclusion of our pivotal safety and efficacy clinical study in such a reputable publication as the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine is a significant accolade for QBiotics and reaffirms the validity of the study’s results,” Biotics’ CEO and managing director Dr Victoria Gordon said.