Meet Mark Mamula, a passionate immunologist at the Yale School of Medicine who has combined his love for dogs and his expertise in immunology to develop a groundbreaking immunotherapy for canine cancer. While his treatment may have potential applications for humans in the future, Mamula’s main goal is to save the lives of dogs. Mamula’s therapy has already proven successful in shrinking tumors and extending the lives of dogs diagnosed with osteosarcoma, such as Rick Kneisel’s golden retriever Ranger, who gained an additional 3½ years of life after receiving the treatment.
Mamula’s innovative immunotherapy for canine cancer has led to the formation of a company called TheraJan LLC. With the support of dog-loving investors, Mamula hopes to make his “therapeutic vaccine” accessible to all veterinarians for the treatment of osteosarcoma and other canine cancers. He is in the process of obtaining licensing from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and expects it to be finalized in about six months. Mamula believes that making this treatment more widely available through local veterinarians is crucial, as there are fewer than 350 veterinary oncologists in the United States.
For the past three decades, Mamula’s lab at Yale has focused on studying immune system diseases such as lupus and type 1 diabetes. His interest in canine cancers arose unexpectedly when he met a veterinary oncologist and discussed the potential of using dogs as a model for immunotherapies. Mamula realized that dogs develop spontaneous cancers similar to humans and that studying and treating these cancers could have significant implications for both human and veterinary medicine.
Mamula and the veterinary oncologist embarked on a clinical trial for Mamula’s immunotherapy, initially conducted in Norwalk, which has since expanded to 11 sites across the United States and Canada. The vaccine is provided free of charge, although additional costs such as imaging are the responsibility of the dog owner. Early results of these clinical trials have been compelling, highlighting the importance of investigating and treating dog cancers. With approximately 65 million households in the United States owning dogs, Mamula estimates that one in four dogs will develop cancer and that the numbers increase to one in two by the age of 10. Mamula’s therapy aims to improve survival rates, and it has already demonstrated success rates twice as high as standard treatments.
Rick Kneisel’s golden retriever Ranger and Mike Rossa’s Carolina shepherd Codi are among the many success stories of Mamula’s immunotherapy. Despite facing a bleak prognosis, these dogs experienced significant improvements in their conditions. Ranger’s tumor disappeared completely, and he lived another 3½ years, while Codi’s tumor also vanished, leading to an additional 3½ years of life. The positive outcomes of these cases have inspired others to share their stories on a Facebook page dedicated to discussing canine cancer and Mamula’s therapy.
Mamula’s immunotherapy involves two injections administered three weeks apart to trigger an immune response in the dogs. This immune response, mainly driven by antibodies, targets and binds to proteins on the tumor’s surface, inhibiting growth or inducing its destruction. Mari Maeda, who founded the nonprofit Canine Cancer Alliance after her own experiences with her golden retrievers, commends the effectiveness and safety of Mamula’s vaccine. Despite recognizing its limitations, Maeda and the alliance are optimistic about the potential affordability and accessibility of this treatment option.
While Mamula primarily focuses on canine cancers, he acknowledges the potential for his immunotherapy to be adapted for use in human clinical trials. Yale has an active program for conducting these trials, and Mamula would gladly collaborate with others who are better equipped in that domain. For now, Mamula is satisfied with his role in saving the lives of dogs and making a significant impact in the field of veterinary medicine.
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