%20(2).png)
Canine Osteosarcoma Immunotherapy Treatments
- Mari Maeda
- Jun 13
- 10 min read
Updated: Jul 15
For dogs diagnosed with osteosarcoma, even with standard-of-care amputation and chemotherapy, the median survival is typically less than 12 months. In many cases, the cancer spreads to the lungs, despite this aggressive treatment. We urgently need better ways to stop this disease.
Researchers today are focusing on ways to slow down and even reverse metastasis after surgery and chemotherapy.
(But even more transformative would be a treatment that allows the dog to keep their leg, avoid toxic chemotherapy, and still achieve a cure. This is especially important since many dogs are not candidates for surgery due to age, tumor location, or other health issues.)
For decades, researchers have recognized that the dog’s own immune system may hold the key to fighting osteosarcoma and other aggressive sarcomas. One of the earliest clues came from an unexpected source: dogs who developed post-surgical infections were found to live longer. These infections likely activated the immune system, suggesting that immune stimulation can help fight cancer.
That’s what makes immunotherapy so promising. Instead of directly trying to kill cancer cells, these treatments aim to mobilize the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. In some cases, they offer the potential for long-term survival and remission, thanks to activation of immune memory.
At a recent oncology conference, Dr. Nicola Mason, a leading researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, shared how immunotherapy is reshaping how we talk about this disease. For the first time, scientists and clinicians are beginning to use the word “cure” when discussing osteosarcoma.
When my dog Gus was fighting osteosarcoma, now almost ten years ago, there was only one immunotherapy option, and it had already stopped enrolling. It was devastating.
But today, things are very different.
There are many more treatment options available, including immunotherapies that have received conditional regulatory approval or are accessible through pilot clinical trials. Some are even fully approved by the FDA or USDA, and can be prescribed off-label by your veterinarian.
If your dog has been diagnosed with osteosarcoma, please know that you have more choices than ever before. Talk to your veterinarian about emerging therapies, especially immunotherapy. They may offer real hope and a better quality of life—for your dog.
Multi-Location Immunotherapy Trials and Treatments
1. ELIAS Animal Health Combination Immunotherapy
What is it? Combines surgery and autologous vaccine and infusion of dog’s own activated T-cells (called adoptive cell therapy)
Data: Yes. Pilot trial data is published and can also be reviewed here. More data coming soon
Locations: Anywhere in the US, since this is now a fully USDA-approved therapy.
Anything else? A very recent report (June 2025) described 1 year survival of 71% if canine patients receive 1 dose of carboplatin before starting Elias immunotherapy treatment. Please talk to your oncologist about chemo + Elias immunotherapy.
More information: https://eliasanimalhealth.com/
2a. Yale Canine Cancer EGFR/HER2 Vaccine with Surgery
What is it? A vaccine that trains the immune system so that antibodies can target proteins (EGFR and HER2) that are abnormally over-expressed in many tumor cells. It has had success extending survival times and reversing metastasis in some canine patients.
Data: Early study data have been published, but only up to 12 months. Data for metastatic cancer patients is not published.
Locations: This treatment is available as part of a clinical trial at 10 clinics around the country.
Anything else? Therajan LLC is commercializing the vaccine.
More information: Read the FAQ here.
2b. Without Surgery - EGFR/HER2 Vaccine + Palliative Radiation
What is it? For patients who are not candidates for surgery, palliative radiation (2 fractions, eight gray) + EGFR/HER2 vaccination + zoledronate infusion has shown promising outcomes with a small number of patients (ref: VCS meeting 2024)
Data: Median survival time of almost 12 months without surgery, with 11 canine patients. Data from Washington State University study.
Locations: The vaccine is available as part of a clinical trial at 10 hospitals around the country. Please contact the clinic to find out if a patient receiving palliative radiation (without surgery) can enroll. WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital is still enrolling patients.
Anything else? Note that this is using palliative radiation, not stereotactic radiation. Palliative radiation may stimulate the immune system without triggering immune suppression that might result from more aggressive radiation therapy. The study into the mechanism of action is ongoing.
More information: https://ccralliance.myflodesk.com/egfr-faq
3. Immunocidin
What is it? A drug that effectively stimulates the immune system with active ingredients consisting of non-pathogenic bacterial cell wall fraction and nucleic acid.
Data: A small published study with osteosarcoma patients.
Contact: (613) 308-9788 or info@NovaVive.ca
Locations: Anywhere in North America. Contact Novavive about other countries.
Anything else? Fully approved by USDA. It was initially approved for mammary tumors; however, off-label use for other types of cancer, including osteosarcoma, is possible. Several successful case studies have been reported. For example, we recently interviewed a family with a dog with osteosarcoma who is 12 months post-diagnosis, with the help of chemotherapy and Immunocidin (but no surgery).
Contact Novavive and speak with Dr. Miriam Cervantes if you'd like to learn about their osteosarcoma protocol and study. Immunocidin will be donated if your dog is enrolled in the study. A vet can also order Immunocidin without being part of a clinical trial.
More information: https://www.novavive.ca/canine-research
Check out our summary of Immunocidin here.
4. Torigen Vaccine:
What is it? An autologous cancer vaccine created from the dog’s own tumor cells, developed by Torigen. This personalized immunotherapy aims to stimulate the immune system to fight cancer using the dog’s unique tumor antigens.
Torigen now offers the VimClara kit, the first-ever autologous cancer vaccine kit, allowing veterinarians to create a personalized vaccine directly from a patient’s tumor tissue.
Data: None specifically for osteosarcoma patients. Some published results for metastatic hemangiosarcoma but we have not seen any data specifically for osteosarcoma patients.
Contact: 860-519-9956 or https://www.torigen.com/contact-us
Location: Anywhere in the US. Make sure to contact them before surgery.
Anything else? This option is only possible if you coordinate BEFORE surgery.
More information: https://www.torigen.com/
5. Oral Drug Combination: Propranolol, Losartan, Toceranib
What is it? A combination of repurposed drugs, high-dose losartan, propranolol, and Palladia ( or toceranib) may counter immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment.
Data: Several publications including https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9835010/ and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8866227/ Prof Dow's paper describes a glioma study, but the same strategy may also help osteosarcoma patients.
Contact: Ask your oncologist. A vet can order these drugs. Does not require being in a clinical trial.
Location: Anywhere in the US.
Anything else? In his fascinating talk at the Veterinary Cancer Society meeting in 2022, Prof Steven Dow stressed that one drug on its own does not have an impact - but combined together in double or triple combinations, one sees benefits with metastatic osteosarcoma. Also, the combination may synergize with other immunostimulatory therapies such as cancer vaccines. At Tufts University, Prof Cheryl London has been studying the combination of Losartan, Toceranib, and another drug called Ladarixin, which can collectively remove immune-suppressive cells from the tumor microenvironment. Ladarixin is only available to canine patients who participate in location-specific trials.
6. ARDENT Animal Health Autologous Vaccine: Paused
What is it? Autologous vaccine K9‑ACV created from the dog’s own tumor cells.
Data: None specifically for osteosarcoma. But this paper by Yannelli et al. describes their early study.
Contact: https://ardentanimalhealth.com/contact-us/
Locations: Anywhere in the US, IMPORTANT: Make arrangements BEFORE surgery.
More information: http://ardentanimalhealth.com/canine-cancer/
7. ARDENT Autologous Cancer Vaccine with Checkpoint Inhibitor for Treatment of Canine Osteosarcoma
What is it? This trial evaluates the safety and potential improved survival using an autologous killed tumor-cell vaccine (K9‑ACV) combined with a checkpoint inhibitor (CD200AR-L) compared to standard carboplatin chemotherapy after amputation. This is a randomized trial. Adding an immune checkpoint inhibitor may increase the efficacy of the autologous vaccine, as seen in an earlier trial with canine glioma patients.
Primary Study Location: University of Illinois
Secondary Study Locations: Maine Veterinary Medical Center, University of Wisconsin, BluePearl Lafayette, BluePearl Tacoma, BluePearl Pittsburgh, Veterinary Cancer Group of Orange County, South Carolina Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Care, CARE Center Cincinnati, Metropolitan Vet Hospital, Peak Veterinary Referral Center, Colorado Animal Specialty and Emergency, VSH North County, Mission Veterinary ER and Specialty, Massachusetts Vet Referral, Metropolitan Vet Hospital Cleveland, Southeast Veterinary Oncology & Internal Medicine
Contact:
Study Contact Name: Adrienne Wright
Study Contact Email: adrienne@ardentanimalhealth.com
Study Contact Phone: +18596195893
More information:
8. Cell Therapy for Metastatic Osteosarcoma
What is it? This trial is a phase I interventional study infusing donor-derived CAR‑modified invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells targeting metastatic osteosarcoma to assess safety, dosing, persistence, and preliminary efficacy.
Location: University of Pennsylvania Ryan Veterinary Hospital (plus affiliated centers in CA, TN, VA, WA)
Contact:
Study Contact Name: Nicola Mason
Study Contact Email: nmason@vet.upenn.edu
Study Contact Phone: +12158983996
More information: https://veterinaryclinicaltrials.org/study/VCT24005853
SINGLE-LOCATION CLINICAL TRIALS.
For the most up-to-date list of studies, search the AVMA animal health studies database:
Electrochemotherapy for Bone Cancer
What is it? This study evaluates the use of electrochemotherapy (ECT) as a local treatment for bone cancer (osteosarcoma) in dogs, particularly when the cancer has spread to bone tissue. In addition to killing tumor cells, ECT may stimulate the immune system to attack cancer.
Locations: Veterinary Oncology Services, New York City
Contact:
Study Contact Name: Dr. J Impellizeri DVM, DACVIM, MRCVS
Study Contact Email: oncologyvet@gmail.com
Study Contact Phone: +18452052768
More information: https://veterinaryclinicaltrials.org/study/VCT24005858
Cryoablation with Immunotherapy (STING AGONISt)
Johns Hopkins University
What is it? Cryoablation combined with immunotherapy (STING AGONIST)
Anything else? This study may be paused.
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD
CContact: cigat@jhmi.edu
More details can be read here.
Metastatic Osteosarcoma Clinical Trial in Dogs
Johns Hopkins University
What is it? This trial evaluates the safety of an experimental radiotherapy approach for treating dogs with osteosarcoma that has metastasized beyond the original tumor site. Eligible dogs should have already undergone amputation and chemotherapy, but now show evidence of cancer spread to other organs.
Locations: John Hopkins University
Contact:
The Center for Image-Guided Animal Therapy
Johns Hopkins University
Dr. Dara Kraitchman, VMD, PhD
Email: cigat@jhmi.edu
Telephone: 410-502-7325
More information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jSDg3OPNUy-Xj-wNDapc6YE1gqurzD6-/view?usp=sharing
STING Agonist Therapy
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
What is it? Evaluate the safety and activity of a STING agonist compound to stimulate the immune system to attack cancer cells in dogs with solid tumors
Data: None yet
Contact: June Chiango, jchiango@upenn.edu
Oncolytic virotherapy combined with dual checkpoint blockade for patients with metastatic osteosarcoma
University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
What is it? This treatment combines oncolytic virotherapy combined with dual checkpoint blockade for patients with metastatic osteosarcoma. This trial is evaluating a new combination therapy using a genetically modified Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV-IFNß-NIS, or "VSV") plus a new molecule that increases anti-tumor immunity, called onco-immune accelerator or "ONIx". Dogs will not receive additional chemotherapy while they are enrolled in the study, but they will be eligible to add chemotherapy or pursue other treatments if their tumors grow and cause signs of illness while on the METEOR protocol.
Data: None yet
Contact: Andrea Chehadeh, aleckert@umn.edu
More information:https://vetmed.umn.edu/departments/centers-and-programs/clinical-investigation-center/current-clinical-trials/meteor-dogs
CAR T cell Immunotherapy for Treatment of Metastatic Osteosarcoma in Dogs
Colorado State University
What is it?
This trial investigates the safety and potential effectiveness of CAR T cell therapy in dogs with osteosarcoma that has visibly spread to the lungs (macroscopic metastases). CAR T cells are specially engineered immune cells designed to recognize and kill cancer cells. While CAR T therapy has been used safely in dogs at other institutions, this particular formulation has only been tested in healthy dogs so far, with no adverse effects reported.
This study is fully funded, and all treatment-related costs are covered for enrolled dogs.
Locations: Colorado State University Flint Animal Cancer Center, Fort Collins, CO
Contact:
Study Contact Name: CSU Oncology Clinical Trials
Study Contact Email: csuoncologytrials@colostate.edu
Study Contact Phone: +19702974001
GD3 Vaccine
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
What is it? Vaccine treatment that contains ganglioside (GD3)
Data: None yet
Contact: Contact the Oncology Staff at (352) 392-2235 to schedule an evaluation, or complete the Study Interest Form on their website to see if your dog qualifies.
More information: https://research.vetmed.ufl.edu/clinical-trials/small-animal/vaccine-study-for-dogs-with-osteosarcoma/
Anything else? The vaccine will be given over 6 visits approximately 3 weeks apart in addition to 6 chemotherapy visits. If appropriate your dog will also receive boosters every 6 months. The chemotherapy visits will be scheduled 2 weeks prior to each vaccine visit. At each visit, blood will also be drawn to measure the immune response for study purposes. In a previous study with over 300 dogs with melanoma, this vaccine was shown to help extend survival.
mRNA Nanoparticle Vaccine
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
What is it? mRNA nanoparticle vaccine for dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma
Data: None
Contact: Contact the Oncology Staff at (352) 392-2235 to schedule an evaluation, or complete the Study Interest Form on their website to see if your dog qualifies.
More information: https://research.vetmed.ufl.edu/clinical-trials/small-animal/mrna-vaccine-study-for-dogs-with-appendicular-osteosarcoma-currently-enrolling/
Anything else? RNA Study Vaccine administration will take place by an IV infusion over approximately 30 minutes. After the first vaccine, your dog will be monitored in the hospital for 24 hours post vaccine. Your dog will also have routine bloodwork checked at each visit, and chest x-rays, as well as abdominal ultrasound to track disease progression. Additional blood samples will be collected to monitor immune response to the vaccine as well.
Cost: The client is responsible for the cost of “standard of care” treatment of canine osteosarcoma (initial evaluation and diagnostics, surgery, chemotherapy, and all chemotherapy-related costs).
Histotripsy Focused Ultrasound Therapy
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
What is it? Histotripsy for dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma (non-amputation option)
Data: None
Contact: To see if your dog qualifies, email vettrials@vt.edu or call the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at (540) 231-4621.
More information: https://research.vetmed.vt.edu/clinical-trials/current-studies/histotripsy-osteo-no-amputation.html
Anything else? This study evaluates a non-invasive treatment option using histotripsy—focused ultrasound technology that destroys tumor tissue without surgery. Participating dogs will not undergo limb amputation and will be monitored closely with imaging and follow-up appointments to evaluate their response to treatment. The study is seeking dogs diagnosed with osteosarcoma that meet eligibility criteria and have not had the affected limb amputated.
Cost: Costs of study-related procedures are covered. Owners may be responsible for some routine diagnostic and follow-up care costs.
============================
If you come across or know of other immunotherapy clinical trials accepting osteosarcoma patients, or if you have any questions, please reach us at info@ccralliance.org
IMPORTANT:
This blog is published for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always seek guidance from your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding your pet’s health or medical condition.