UW-Madison scientists study vaccine in hope to prevent cancer in dogs

 

MADISON, WIS. (CBS 58) -- If you own enough dogs over time, chances are high that at least one of them will die from cancer. It is the number one killer of senior dogs. Scientists at UW-Madison are studying a vaccine they hope will prevent cancer in dogs. 

Pavlov is an eight-year-old golden retriever. 

"He is very comforting and wants to be around people all the time," said Colleen Witzenburg, Pavlov's owner.

"He'll literally give you this look, like "hey, how are you doing today," said Bruce Witzenburg, Pavlov's other owner. 

Pavlov spends a lot of time on disc golf courses. He is also one of 800 dogs that qualified for the vaccine study.

"This is the first prophylactic. That means pre-disease state, anti-cancer vaccine study in the history of veterinarian medicine," said Dr. David Vail from UW-Madison. 

Dogs in three locations are taking part. At Colorado State University, The University of California-Davis, and UW-Madison. 

"If we find that they're cancer-free, then they're eligible to enter the trial. Half of those dogs will get the anti-cancer vaccine and the other half get a placebo," said Dr. Vail. 

The five-year study is now in its final year. 

"And then at the end of five years we compare the two groups and see if the vaccine prevented cancer in that population," said Dr. Vail. 

It is unclear whether Pavlov's in the placebo or vaccine group, but either way his family is hoping he'll play disc golf for years to come.

So far, side effects have been minimal. Witzenburg said he is noticeably tired after the shot, but that's it.  

"We're really excited and proud to be a part of it. And especially given Pavlov's namesake. We're clearly scientists so we thought hey this will be great. On the positive side, if he doesn't get cancer because of this, that's just amazing right?" said Witzenburg. 

"To have a prophylactic vaccine that's effective and inexpensive and accessible would be a major breakthrough," said Dr. Vail.