Pfizer Animal Health announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first canine cancer therapy in the US - Palladia (toceranib phosphate) - which was developed by Pfizer to treat mast cell tumours in dogs. Pfizer made the announcement to veterinarians attending the 2009 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Forum and Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Convention.

"Pfizer Animal Health is proud to bring the first canine cancer therapy approved by the FDA to US specialists, their patients and caregivers," said George Fennell, vice president, Companion Animal Division, Pfizer Animal Health. "In the weeks and months ahead, Pfizer will introduce Palladia to boarded specialists to expand the body of clinical experience with this new therapy. The experience gained during this time will enable us to support veterinarians more effectively when we make the product available for purchase in early 2010," Fennell said.

Pet caregivers should continue to consult with their local veterinarians about options for their dogs with cancer, who may then refer appropriate cases to specialists for treatment with Palladia.

Pfizer Animal Health estimates 1.2 million new canine cancer cases are reported in the US every year. Mast cell tumours are the second most common tumour type and are often seen as lumps in the skin. These tumours are classified as grade I, II or III, with grade III being the most severe. If not treated, they can spread to other parts of the body including lymph nodes.

Prescription-only Palladia is an oral therapy indicated to treat Patnaik grade II or III recurrent cutaneous mast cell tumours with or without regional lymph node involvement. Palladia belongs to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) class of compounds. It works by blocking the activity of key receptors important for the development of blood vessels that supply tumours, as well as receptors critical for tumour survival.

"Palladia is an exciting, new treatment option for dogs with mast cell tumours," said Cheryl London, DVM, board certified medical oncologist and associate professor at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

"At the completion of a Palladia clinical study, approximately 60 per cent of dogs had their tumours disappear, shrink or stop growing. Also, we determined that dogs whose tumours responded to Palladia experienced an improved quality of life," said Dr London, who has helped Pfizer Animal Health's Veterinary Medicine Research & Development to develop Palladia since 2000.