Palladia, First Dog Cancer Drug FDA Approved But Not Great
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
Updated: March 14th, 2019
Palladia, the first drug officially approved for use in treating dog cancer has arrived. This was described in the Dog Cancer Survival Guide by it’s pre-market name, SU11654. Now it’s finally ready for release.
Palladia, made by Pfizer, has been approved by the FDA. It is expected to be available next year. This drug is approved for treating mast cell tumors in the dog.
The fact that this is the first drug approved for dog cancer may be odd for many. What about all those chemotherapy drugs that are used? They are not FDA approved?
Well, the facts are that vets and veterinary oncologists have been using human drugs the whole time. As a matter of fact, many of the drugs we use generally are not FDA-approved for use in the canine.
Why?
It turns out that FDA drug approval is allowed for one species at a time. On top of that, approval is for one disease or problem. In veterinary medicine, we have cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, monkeys, snakes, and so on…many different species, and they all need treatment.
It would take hundred of years and staggering amounts of money to get all our drugs approved for all these different species and diseases.
So vets have “off-label” drug use privileges. Off-label drug use means we can use drugs approved for one species (including humans) freely in other species.
Let’s take a look at some of the facts around Palladia.
Like most of the conventional treatments we use in treating dogs with cancer, the numbers for Palladia are a bit disheartening.
The median duration of objective response (meaning how long the Palladia’s effect lasted on mast cell tumors) was 12 weeks. Yes, 3 months of tumor shrinkage or disappearance is what you can expect. This number is taken from the original study.
After 3 months the cancer came back.
On top of this, not all dogs with mast cell tumors even responded. It turns out that roughly 40% of dog with mast cell tumors will actually respond to the drug, while the majority do not.
This means that while about 40% of the time the cancer either went away or shrank, in the remaining 60% of dogs Palladia had no effect.
Get a copy of the Dog Cancer Survival Guide for more information and tools to help your dog with cancer
Sigh.
If you would like to look at the original data for yourself, here is the link.
This highlights important points.
First, there is a big to do about Palladia. But, the actual statistics are depressing. Interesting contrast between hype and reality.
Second, I think most guardians of dogs afflicted with mast cell tumors would not be jumping for joy at these numbers, in spite of the festivities at Pfizer.
Lastly, this shows how important it is to leap sideways in our efforts to really treat canine cancer.
The more I think about dog cancer, and disease in general, the more I believe early choices are key, long before old age.
I will start addressing how dog cancer does not start in old age, in future posts. Instead, it starts many, many years before hand. We need to start taking steps earlier, much earlier.
Best to all,
Dr D
Dr. Demian Dressler is internationally recognized as “the dog cancer vet” because of his innovations in the field of dog cancer management, and the popularity of his blog here at Dog Cancer Blog. The owner of South Shore Veterinary Care, a full-service veterinary hospital in Maui, Hawaii, Dr. Dressler studied Animal Physiology and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California at Davis before earning his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. After practicing at Killewald Animal Hospital in Amherst, New York, he returned to his home state, Hawaii, to practice at the East Honolulu Pet Hospital before heading home to Maui to open his own hospital. Dr. Dressler consults both dog lovers and veterinary professionals, and is sought after as a speaker on topics ranging from the links between lifestyle choices and disease, nutrition and cancer, and animal ethics. His television appearances include “Ask the Vet” segments on local news programs. He is the author of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Full Spectrum Treatments to Optimize Your Dog’s Life Quality and Longevity. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, the American Association of Avian Veterinarians, the National Animal Supplement Council and CORE (Comparative Orthopedic Research Evaluation). He is also an advisory board member for Pacific Primate Sanctuary.
I forgot……Frasier is twelve and a half years old and acts like a four years old puppy. He is an Asian mutt. Part sheba inu, chow, and jingo. Weighs 43 lbs.
Hello, my dog Frasier has anal sac ademocarcinoma since Dec 2008. He had surgery, radiation, and chemo. Cancer came back May 2010. He has been taking PALLADIA. His tumor is very tiny. Now we are not getting free samples. We cannot afford to buy 900.00 worth of pills for a two month period. We feed him WEllness, grain free dry food…along with Wellness Wet Food. Is there anything we should do? Change his diet, forget the pill, or add food to his regular food. He exercises, play with other dogs and out in the sun a lot. We do not give him vitamins or herbs… so, what should we do?
Dear Nanci,
have you stared your Dog Cancer Diet (top of this page)? Apocaps, beta glucans, possibly artemisinin? Did you read the Guide? As for the chemo, perhaps you can apply for Care Credit.
Hope this helps
D
Hi Dr. D,
Our dog Kelsey, about 8 yrs old, (we got her from a shelter so we’re not sure of her exact age) had exploratory surgery the beginning of March and was given a 10% chance of making it through or past surgery. It’s almost a month later and she’s still here! They removed the tumor (or the 2 halves of the tumor) since it had burst, and the surgeons were confident they got both pieces and they said there is some chance that some cells could have been left behind but they said the chances of that is remote.
We had a stain test done on her tumor and it is a GIST and the oncologist is recommending Palladia. My husband and I have been STRONGLY leaning against chemo and just continuing her on many different holistic supplements that our holistic vet recommended.
Do you think we are making the right decision in her case? I am glad I came across your blog about Palladia as it strengthens my feelings against chemo. She has a good quality of life right now. She has a good appetite, etc, loves to go outside. She is not back 100% to running like she used to but after surgery isn’t that to be expected? We are a little concerned that she is not drinking as much water as she used to, but she is on a much different diet now with no carbs so I am assuming that could have something to do with it.
I didn’t mean to submit such a long post for you here, but any input is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for all you do for our fuzzy friends.
Julie
Dear Julie,
have you guys read the Guide? I wonder, because we talk about decision making in it and it seems like it applies to your case. As you will read, there is no “right” decision in systemic cancers. It sounds like you don’t want to do chemo. As long as you are aware of all the choices and what the consequences of those choices are, and you have defined what your priorities are as a Guardian, you have made the “right” choice.
Best,
Dr D
Hi Dr. D,
When have been using the PALLADIA of Pfizer since 8 months with good results. After 3 weeks using it, the cancer completely disappeared.
Do you know what the advisable period of treatment is? We are considering to stop with it. The medicine is quite expensive in Europe (350€/month).
Rgds
Raymond
Dear Raymond,
your chemotherapy decisions should be done with your oncologists’ supervision. There are two different considerations here. One is financial. One is medical. They are not necessarily the same outcome. The best thing is to go to the oncologist and let him or her know what your budget is and you can come to an agreement that takes your wallet and your dog’s health into consideration simultaneously.
Best,
D
Has anyone’s dog been extremely hyper on Palladia? Our pug started 2 weeks ago and is now not sleeping at night. Running around, acting like he can’t control himself and settle down.
Hello,
I found your web site very interesting. My 13 yeaar old Maltese most likely has Liver Cancer. He has not been diagnosed because I have not done a fine needle biopsy. From X-Rays and Ultrasound the liver is enlarged and abnormal margians. Everything else in his body is clear. He will not eat unless hand fed chicken or turkey, and loosing weight. I am big into holistic and herbal. I have had him on a RAW and holistic diet most of his life, and on herbal supplements. I do not know how Liver Cancer hit him. Any advice would be appreciated. I currently have him on Milk Thistle and Chinese Herb for Liver and Spleen Cancer. He has a fever and not eating well. Also, loosing weight but bloated in his stomach.
I dont think I have much time with him or to help him, but I will not do chemo. so I am not sure it’s worth finding out for sure whether he does have Liver Cancer.
Thanks so much.
Dear Jennifer,
Another good supplements you might want to try is Denamarin. Talk to your vet about appetite stimulants and diuretics too (if the swelling is from fluid in the abdomen).
I hope this helps
Dr D
My 7 yr old boxer, Brutikas, has been on Palladia for 6 months now. We had to take him off of the prednisone because it was crashing his red blood cell system when used in conjunction with the palladia. He now takes 95mg on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. He has been on 80 mg for awhile however last wseek I was one day late getting him his friday dose not giving it to him until saturday morning and he, by 1 or 2 p.m.on friday, was alost comletely crashede. He still has not recovered fully, almost a week later he still is limping a little sumtimes. I hope that he can stay with us for many years to come!! Palladia is truely saving my boxers life!!! Without it I would have had to put him down in october when we 1st found the cancer. Thanks pizer!! Good job !!!
Great news, Jessie.
Good responses are always good….
🙂
Dr. Dressler,
I´m writing from Madrid, Spain to ask you about your feedback and experience at using Palladia. Here in Spain, this medical treatment has not been introduced yet, but is under experimental use ( will be in the market n three month´s time). My dog aged 11 years, probably might have a carcinoma in her liver and the vet suggests the use of Palladia. Having read all the commentaries that other people left about the use of Palladia, its side effects and possible cancer recurrence, do you recommend its use for a liver carcinoma? Reality is that our vet, after having our dog passed a needle aspirate citology, confirms that she can have or a carcinoma (based on the high level of her liver enzimes) or a bening tumor, which is less possible. Our options are: the use of Palladia during 40 days´time or a biopsy, which has other side effects for her liver and once we are 100% sure our dog has carcinoma, then treating her with Palladia. Our dog was very skinny, but we have recently changed her diet and she has started to gain weight, she´s healthy, happy and you could not notice she might have cancer, so that´s why I really do not know if she undergoes this treatment, what are her opportunities and if there is no other less “aggresive” way of treating her. Many thanks in advance for your attention, quick response
Dear Carolina,
I apologize this is not a very quick response 🙁
There are a host of other non-invasive approaches you can use in the Guide. You should download the dog cancer diet pdf on the top of this web page. You might want to consider Apocaps with your veterinarian, as well as omega-3 fatty acids and K-9 Immunity and transfer factor from Aloha medicinals. Another chemo option is masitinib (Kinavet), which is in the same class as Palladia . This can get you started,
I hope it helps,
Best,
Dr D
My 13 year old spayed female beagle has been on oral Neoplasene since Aug.2010 as well as Chinese herbs after being diagnosed with bladder cancer.In Sep.2011 I added Apocaps which made a big difference – she feels great! The tumor continued to grow very slowly,so Neoplasene bladder infusion was begun and the tumor began to shrink. Now however, it is growing again (towards the urethra.) Can you recommend any other treatment that might help? I have your book, but am getting confused as to which is best.
Also, I saw that you advised several people to use oral Neoplasene as well as Apocaps, which is what I have been doing, but in your book you advise against that. Which is correct?
Edith
Dear Edith
I’ve started doing them together in severe cases since the book was published.
Might add artemisinin at this stage.
Be sure you have veterinary supervision for all.
Also perhaps (discuss with your vet) IV Vit C with K3.
Best
Dr D
[…] Palladia affects all dogs differently. In some it works and in some it doesn’t. See Dr. Dressler’s articles about Palladia. https://www.dogcancerblog.com/blog/first-dog-cancer-drug-fda-approved-but-not-great/. […]
Our lab Gracie was diagnosed over two years ago with Thyroid carcinoma with pulmonary metastasis. She was an early trial participant and has been healthy and activity for two years. Pfizer just up’d the cost of her meds to $23 dollars a dose. Every other day, $23 dollars a dose. Nearly $350 dollars a month. Morally disgusting. And an irrational business case in my opinion. If anyone had hope they’d be in the 40%, they’re likely to opt out regardless.
Our 5 year old Weimaraner, Jesel, has been on Palladia since early October 2010. He is responding well against the Lymphangiosarcoma.The tumour has shrank by 30 % and to date, none of the side affects, except for some hair loss around his nose.
The dosage is 80 mg, 3 times per week. We also give him Metacam, Pepcid and 10.3 mg of Cyclophosphamide on the Palladia off days.His blood work as of this past Tuesday was excellent.
This is great news. Keep it up!
Best,
Dr D
My 9 1/2 year old neutered German Shepherd was diagnosed with anal gland cancer this past May. Surgery done to remove the tumor, but the cancer was already in the node in the groin area. The estimate for chemo with Palladia was out of reach finance wise. The best I could do for him was supplements, and switch his food to Orijen for Seniors. But he has had such a good quality of life all this time. Couple months ago his rear hind leg started swelling, the side the tumor was on. Doc said the lymph node in the right groin area was hugh. He was not limping, eating well and still acting healty as a horse. A couple weeks ago I was able to start the Palladia thru my vet clinic. Before statring Palladia we put him on a daily dose of Prilosec and benadryl, and to be continued from now on. My gentle giant is 124 lbs, so his Palladia dose was 150mg 3X a week. Did it Mon, Wed & Frid. After 2 weeks he still has no side effects or problems what so ever. Took him in yesterday for re check and blood work. I could tell the leg swelling was down, but the tumor has alwo shrunk a lot. Starting monday we drop the dose to 100mg 3X week. I know Palladia will not cure him in his advanced stage, but if giving him more time. The boy loves to eat, so as long as he continues to do so, things are going well. We take one day a a time, and every day is a gift.
Dear Nancy,
thinking of you and your dog during these hard days. Hang in there and be well.
Dr D
I just have one question, after doing everything possible to save my beloved
12 year old from Hemangiosarcoma. Thruthfully, how many dogs with cancer
can you say have been CURED. I spent $11,000.00 to have her in my life
fro 6 months. What is the cure rate, and is there one.
Dear Jeanette,
we still do not have the cure for systemic cancers that cannot be completely removed with surgery. In other words, there is no cure for cancer to this very day, I am sorry to say.
Dr D
Pardon my spelling but I believe it is spelled “masitinib”, sorry.
Sean