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Despite advances in surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer in companion animals and humans, most patients with advanced, metastatic tumors will die from their disease. Novel, more effective forms of therapy are needed. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a cytokine that is naturally produced by immune cells, and has the potential to stimulate the immune system and cause rapid and dramatic changes in tumor blood flow, leading to tumor regression in some circumstances. The administration of TNF has been complicated by its significant toxicity, primarily causing a rapid decrease in blood pressure. We have shown in dogs that when TNF is combined with polyethylene glycol (PEG-TNF), administration does not affect blood pressure and does not result in any other adverse effects. UW oncologists and oncologists at the Animal Cancer Center (Colorado State University) currently have funding for a clinical trial evaluating the use of PEG-TNF in dogs for the treatment of any measurable tumor.
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