Monthly Archives: August 2024

Novel, targeted canine cancer therapy receives US patent

Posted on August 24, 2024 | 2 comments
Photo: Maria Sbytova/Adobe Stock

FidoCure, the flagship brand of the One Health Company, has been granted a patent for a novel targeted therapy and biomarker for canine cancer by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The patent covers a new approach to treatment, using mutation profiling to better manage bladder cancer in dogs.1

The now-patented approach, driven by artificial intelligence (AI), considers real-world evidence from veterinary clinical data and uses it to determine the ideal methodology for therapeutic treatment. Early data reports suggest the new approach may be more efficacious compared to conventional treatment methods.1

“This patent acknowledges the uniqueness of our approach, which has consistently demonstrated that it can transform outcomes for pet dogs with cancer while improving the quality of life for the patients,” Christina Lopes, cofounder and CEO of the One Health Company and FidoCure, said in a news release.1 “Receiving a patent is an important milestone in our mission to increase access to lifesaving treatments for pet dogs with cancer.”

Each year, 6 million dogs in the US are affected by cancer, and many of them by bladder cancer.1 Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the tumor that affects the bladder, and Atlantic Veterinary Internal Medicine and Oncology (AVIMO) approximates that TCC is diagnosed in 80,000 dogs each year.2 Biologically speaking, canine cancer is relatively similar to human cancer, but, according to FidoCure, treatment and care for canine cancer is about 20 years behind humans.1

“Bladder cancer [treatment] in dogs is an unmet need,” Gerald Post, DVM, MEM, CACVIM, chief medical officer of One Health, said in a news release.1 “Traditional chemotherapy and radiation therapy are often ineffective, cause toxic side effects, and are expensive.”

The patent, No. 12036281-B2, protects FidoCure’s technology for 20 years following its priority date.1 Lopes, alongside her FidoCure cofounder Benjamin Lewis and other key team members, are named as inventors on the patent. The company currently has an additional 8 pending patents, covering novel therapeutics and biomarkers, and will be seeking approval from the FDA for their products in the near future, according to the release.1

FidoCure came together with the goal to improve outcomes for canine cancer patients. More specifically, the founders wanted to put an end to blanket chemotherapy and radiation treatments, regardless of cancer type, citing the use of target therapies in human oncology. They’ve since partnered with a board of medical and veterinary advisors with multidisciplinary knowledge, spanning the fields of human and canine oncology.3

Among the company’s achievements is the FidoCure Next Generation Sequencing Test, through which the results allow care providers to better customize treatment options using targeted therapies. In early 2022, FidoCure partnered with IDEXX, a company focused on global pet healthcare innovation, to provide access to the test to its’ veterinary clients throughout the US and Canada.4

References

  1. FidoCure Receives Patent for AI-Driven Drug Development, Accelerating a Novel Portfolio of Precision Therapeutic for Cancer. News release. FidoCure. August 13, 2024. Accessed August 15, 2024. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240813574729/en/FidoCure-Receives-Patent-for-AI-Driven-Drug-Development-Accelerating-a-Novel-Portfolio-of-Precision-Therapeutic-for-Cancer
  2. Understanding Bladder Cancer in Dogs. American Veterinary Internal Medicine and Oncology. Accessed August 15, 2024. https://avim.us/bladder-cancer-in-dogs/
  3. FidoCure. AI Driven Precision Medicine Platform for Canine Cancer. One Health Company. Accessed August 15, 2024. https://fidocure.com/
  4. One Health Company partners with IDEXX to enhance canine cancer care. dvm360. January 20, 2022. Accessed August 23, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/one-health-company-partners-with-idexx-to-enhance-canine-cancer-care

Source: MJH Life Sciences, DVM 360

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An Unexpected Way to Lower Your Dementia Risk: Pet Ownership

Posted on August 18, 2024 | 1 comment

What if reducing your dementia risk could be as simple as owning a dog? Several observational studies published last year suggest pet ownership could meaningfully reduce your risk among proving other emotional and physical benefits. Sixty-six percent of households in the United States own a pet, with dogs being the most popular companion. Pets can bring us joy, help alleviate stress, offer companionship, and even help us lead a more active lifestyle.

Researchers have now found an added benefit of being a pet owner — pets could stave off brain aging in humans. People who own pets are less lonely — a major risk factor for dementia. Now, scientists are interested in seeing whether people who owned cats or dogs had a lower risk of cognitive decline or dementia.

Owning a dog or cat could meaningfully reduce your risk of developing dementia, several observational studies published last year found, especially if you’re over the age of 50.

What does the science say about dementia, dogs and cats?

In 2023, Japanese researchers published a study that looked at 11,194 older adults to see whether owning dogs or cats provided a protective effect against dementia. 

Compared to those without pets, dog owners were 40 percent less likely to develop dementia over a four year period. Additionally, dog owners who were social or exercised regularly experienced an extra 20 percent decrease in dementia risk. The study didn’t find evidence that owning cats had a similar effect.

Chinese researchers published a similar study last year, also looking at the link between pet ownership and cognitive decline. The study’s participants received psychological tests to assess their memory, verbal fluency, and thinking eight years apart. The cohort was composed of 7,495 adults over the age of 50 living in the UK. 

Among individuals who were living alone, owning a cat or dog was associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline. However, older adults living with other people saw no significant benefit, which suggests that companionship from dogs or cats could offset some of the negative effects of living alone.

This field of research is still very new, and for people who have already developed Alzheimer’s or dementia, there isn’t a lot of research yet on how interactions with pets or trained therapy animals affect further cognitive decline. 

Despite the lack of concrete research on cognitive decline, many long-term care facilities have also started implementing animal-assisted therapy for their residents facilitated by certified handlers and trained dogs. Dogs can still improve their quality of life and have been shown to offer stress-reducing benefits. Spending time with a furry friend could ease agitation, aggression, depression, and even help residents cope with sundowning, emotional and behavioral issues that worsen as daytime fades.

While more research is needed to determine whether adopting pets can have a protective effect on the brains of isolated older adults, pet ownership can offer many benefits to your emotional and physical health.

Source: Being Patient – Alzheimer’s news, advice, stories & support

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Life Lessons from a Divine Knucklehead

Posted on August 14, 2024 | 1 comment

How many of us would love to write a book about our dogs, but lack the skill, time, resources or dedication to do so? Douglas Green has not only written about his dog, Shirelle, but has introduced a second edition of his book that was originally published in 2015.

The Teachings of Shirelle (Life Lessons from a Divine Knucklehead) is a memoir of a special dog.

The book is a series of chapters, all constituted of short passages, some only a paragraph in length and others 1-2 pages. It is written in the style of thoughts and, if you’re anything like me, you don’t think in lengthy chapters and so the pace is consistent with how I live my life.

It’s as if thoughts have popped into Douglas’ head as he remembers his life with Shirelle and he had to write quickly to capture the moment – the wisdom she shared in that moment.

As a bonus, the writing style makes this book uncomplicated – you can easily bookmark your place on your commute to work, or whenever you are too tired to keep reading.

“She wasn’t the smartest dog who ever lived, says Green in his Introduction. “She was fast and strong but not an award winner. She was beautiful but not a model for calendars. She was bright, except when she was an uncontrollable idiot.”

How many of us can relate?

As their lives together extend into years, Green develops a deep appreciation for Shirelle’s approach to life; a mirror through which he channels deeper wisdom. Shirelle is there through various relationships with women, and through career highlights such as directing a stage play called Sylvia which stars a dog as a central character that brings a husband and wife together and saves their marriage (you’ll have to read the book for more info on the play).

The worst part of the book is, understandably, the ending when Shirelle loses her battle with hemangiosarcoma and Green succumbs to that intense grief we feel when we lose a loved pet. But, then again, dog people know that our dogs lives are short. The ending isn’t a surprise, but inevitable when the main character is a dog.

Add to your reading list now and perhaps the Christmas shopping list for the dog lover in your life. And I will close with a passage from Green’s last Christmas card which featured Shirelle:

Love Thoughtlessly.

Relish the day.

If you’re not in awe,

You’re just not paying attention.

The publicist for the book, MindBuck Media, kindly sent me an advance review copy to enable me to read the book which went on sale on 9 July 2024. The views expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Kathleen Crisley, Fear-Free certified professional and specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and canine fitness,  The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand.

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