Immunotherapy for the treatment of genital squamous cell carcinoma in the horse

Genital squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in male horses can be locally aggressive, require disfiguring surgical intervention, and is potentially fatal if not treated early. Currently, there is not a consistent treatment that can be easily administered with minimal side effects. In preliminary studies, we have found that tumor injection with a new immunotherapy compound (LTAC) developed in our laboratory can induce sustained and significant regression of advanced genital SCC in male horses following once monthly injections, with minimal side-effects.

Horses will be treated with once-monthly injections of the LTAC immunotherapy (three treatments total over three months), and tumor responses (tumor regression) will be monitored over the course of the trial through photo documentation. Tumor biopsies and blood samples will be obtained prior to treatment and after treatment for measuring immune responses in the tumor itself, the papillomavirus infection status, and also immune responses in circulation. Horses will need to be brought to the Johnson Family Equine Hospital for participation in the clinical trial for the entire duration of the study period (three treatments and an additional three-month follow-up appointment; six months total).

Owners are responsible for the initial $175 exam fee and any necessary medications. The remainder of the exams and immunotherapy are covered by the clinical trial.