On the campus of Colorado State University, the Flint Animal Cancer Center sits. For 13 years, this facility in Fort Collins, Colorado, has led the charge to treat bone cancer in both animals and humans. 

“When you look under a microscope, cancer shows no difference between animals and humans.” Kate Shelton said.

Clinical trials have shown promising results in dogs. But why dogs? The answer is simple: there are many similarities between dogs and humans. Cancers in dogs develop naturally, just like in people. Dogs live in the same environment, breathe the same air, and drink the same water. People and dogs have similar immune systems. Dogs share 85% of our genetic makeup. 

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer. It’s a devastating disease that occurs most often in children. Through years of tireless effort by One Cure, a possible treatment was found. 

The blood pressure medication, Lorsartan, combined with a molecular-targeted cancer drug, Toceranib, had positive effects in shrinking or stabilizing bone tumors in 50% of the dogs, with almost 30% experiencing regression in their tumors. 

This breakthrough is currently in clinical trials for humans at the Children’s Hospital Colorado and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. For more information, the study link is provided here. https://cvmbs.source.colostate.edu/clinical-trial-for-pediatric-bone-cancer-underscores-one-cure-philosophy-at-csu/

Thanks to gracious donors, One Cure can ride on the side of Graham Rahal’s #15 Honda. Rahal’s foundation is a big supporter of what One Cure does. 

For more information on this amazing organization, please visit https://www.csuanimalcancercenter.org/about-one-cure/

Images via Once Cure PR