How does Canine Melanoma Vaccine, DNA work?
A. This therapeutic vaccine uses DNA expressing the human tyrosinase gene. The tyrosinase encoded by the xenogeneic (different-species) DNA used in this vaccine is homologous to canine tyrosinase and has been shown to stimulate an immune response to canine melanoma cells expressing tyrosinase. The use of DNA from a non-canine species results in tyrosinase that is not considered a self-antigen by the canine immune system, thereby stimulating a good immune response. The human tyrosinase protein is different enough from the canine tyrosinase protein that it will stimulate an immune response. Yet it is similar enough to the canine tyrosinase that the immune response will target canine melanoma cells.1,2 Q. What data prove the efficacy of this therapeutic vaccine? A. Studies of xenogeneic DNA melanoma vaccines led by Philip Bergman, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl ACVIM Onc., from 2000 to the present have included more than 100 dogs with oral melanoma and have produced promising results. While the effec
