Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026
06:32
Operating Procedures of the Electrochemotherapy for Treatment of Tumor in Dogs and Cats
Published on: October 24, 2016
IL-12 based gene therapy in veterinary medicine
Darja Pavlin1, Maja Cemazar, Gregor Sersa
1University of Ljubljana, Veterinary Faculty, Small Animal Clinic, Cesta v Mestni log 47, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia.
Journal of Translational Medicine
|November 23, 2012
Summary
Interleukin-12 (IL-12) gene therapy shows significant antitumor effects in large animal models, offering a promising bridge for human cancer treatments. This approach is safe and well-tolerated, paving the way for veterinary and human clinical trials.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Oncology
- Gene Therapy
Background:
- Large animals offer advantages over lab animals for novel treatment research.
- Preclinical studies indicate Interleukin-12 (IL-12) gene therapy has strong antitumor properties.
- Veterinary oncology is a crucial translational bridge to human medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of IL-12 gene therapy in veterinary oncology.
- To explore IL-12 gene therapy as a translational approach for human cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Gene therapy using Interleukin-12 (IL-12) plasmid DNA.
- Delivery via viral (adenoviral) and non-viral (naked DNA, electrogene therapy) methods.
- Application in various tumor models in cats, horses, and dogs.
Main Results:
- IL-12 gene therapy demonstrated significant antitumor effects in spontaneously occurring tumors in large animals.
- The treatment was found to be safe and well-tolerated across all species studied.
- Successful application in diverse tumor types, including soft tissue sarcomas and metastatic melanoma.
Conclusions:
- IL-12 based gene therapy is effective and safe for treating tumors in veterinary patients.
- Results support further investigation in veterinary medicine and translation to human clinical trials.
- Large animal models are valuable for advancing gene therapy research towards human application.
Related Concept Videos
00:59Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is a technique where a gene is inserted into a person’s cells to prevent or treat a serious disease. The added gene may be a healthy version of the gene that is mutated in the patient, or it could be a different gene that inactivates or compensates for the patient’s disease-causing gene. For example, in patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) due to a mutation in the gene for the enzyme adenosine deaminase, a functioning version of the gene can be inserted. The...
01:29Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics
Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.