2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

This study represents the first description of Bcl11b expression in the cat and in FOSCC. We demonstrated activation of the Src pathway by FOSCC cells making Src a strategic therapeutic target that could be used in a clinical setting. Exposing FOSCC cells to dasatinib has inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, EGFR, and consistently decreased production of VEGF. Based on these results, dasatinib may have both anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic effects in FOSCC. Since EGF is able to partially rescue cells from the effects of dasatinib, future studies should evaluate dual target inhibition of Src and EGFR, EGFR and VEGFR, as well as combining Src inhibition with standard chemotherapy agents. Oral melanoma (OM) has a high propensity to metastasize to regional lymph nodes (LN) and lungs. Surgery and/or radiotherapy (RT) are effective local treatments, however most dogs succumb to distant metastasis. Immunotherapy represents an attractive strategy for this potentially immunogenic tumor. The objective of this multi-institutional retrospective study was to examine the clinical outcome of dogs with OM treated with ONCEPT TM melanoma vaccine, +/surgery and/or RT.