Immunotherapy for the treatment of eyelid and corneolimbal squamous cell carcinoma in the horse

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common tumor of the eye and associated structures in the horse. The goal of this study is to determine if injection of a novel immunotherapy can safely lead to cure (remission) or significantly decrease the size of eyelid SCC and/or ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) in standing horses.

Horses who have lesions or masses suspicious for SCC on the eyelids and/or the eye itself would receive an ophthalmic exam by a board-certified ophthalmologist. Horses would be enrolled in the clinical trial if cytology and/or biopsy confirmed SCC on the eyelids and/eye, and the horse is otherwise systemically healthy as determined by a complete physical exam and blood work (CBC/serum chemistry).

Horses must be seen at the Johnson Family Equine Hospital (JFEH) for each treatment appointment which will take approximately 45 minutes. Horses will be given IV standing sedation, the areas of SCC will be measured and photographed, topical numbing medication will be applied around the tumor, and an injection of the immunotherapy will be performed. Horses will return to the JFEH every four to five weeks for subsequent injections for a total of three injections as well as follow-up appointments three months and nine months following the last injection.

Following the initial enrollment appointment, all expenses directly associated with the injections and recheck exams will be covered by the clinical trial.