FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is immunotherapy and how does the EGFR/HER2 Peptide Cancer Immunotherapeutic Vaccine work? 

In general, immunotherapy is designed to utilize antibodies and white blood cells of the immune system to attack tumor cells, hopefully to slow or stop tumor growth. The EGFR/HER2 vaccine in this study has been reported to stimulate antibodies that bind EGFR/HER2 on tumor cells. These studies have not been examined by the USDA and is under investigation in this controlled clinical trial.

What is EGFR/HER2? 

The EGFR/HER2 proteins are overexpressed on the surface a number of canine cancers. EGFR/HER2 are know signaling proteins that stimulate cancer cell growth and are a target of immunotherapies in human cancer treatment. Canine cancers reported to express EGFR/HER2 are osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, transitional cell carcinoma, some lung cancers, anal sac carcinoma, breast and colon cancers, and other cancers. Lymphomas and leukemias do NOT express EGFR/HER2.

Is my dog a good candidate for the EGFR/HER2 Peptide Vaccine Clinical Trial? 

Please discuss all enrollment options with your own veterinarian and with the individual clinical trial sites.

How soon will my dog experience any clinical benefit? 

It is not yet fully understood whether immunotherapy from the vaccination may provide any clinical benefit to your dog. The details of safety, clinical efficacy, and outcomes are under investigation in this clinical trial.

Have any studies using the EGFR/HER2 Peptide Cancer Immunotherapeutic Vaccine been published?

Yes, pilot studies in an open label canine cancer study have been reported by Doyle, et. al., ."Vaccine-induced ErbB (EGFR/HER2)-specific immunity in spontaneous canine cancer". Translational Oncology 2021; PMID: 34419682

Can my dog receive chemotherapy or other therapies and be enrolled in the EGFR/HER2 clinical trial? 

Your dog will receive all ethical conventional care during testing of the vaccine, including surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy as recommended by the Veterinary Oncologist.

In general, the vaccine can be administered while treated with some chemotherapies. The Veterinary Oncologist managing your dog will provide all details. Your dog may NOT have been enrolled in other experimental clinical trials to qualify for the present EGFR/HER2 Vaccine trial. Other therapies or clinical conditions may disqualify your dog from this clinical trial. The individual clinics will provide all details of enrollment and qualification.

Are there any known side effects of the vaccination? 

It has been reported that approximately 20% of recipient dogs develop a lump at the injection site, know as 'sterile inflammation'. However, safety and efficacy have not yet been established by the USDA and is investigated in the clincial trial.