Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
STING agonist drug triggers immune genes in dogs with tumors
By Lenz, Jennifer A et al.·Published in Journal for immunotherapy of cancer·2025·Department of Clinical Studies and Advanced Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Systemic STING agonist therapy drives expression of interferon stimulated genes and downstream production of cytokines in dogs with solid tumors.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 19 dogs with various types of cancer, including malignant melanoma and soft tissue sarcoma, received a new treatment called GSK856, which is designed to boost their immune response against tumors. The dogs were given two doses of this drug through an IV, and then underwent surgery to remove their tumors. While some dogs experienced temporary side effects like fever, lethargy, and nausea, the treatment successfully increased certain immune markers in their blood and tumors. This suggests that GSK856 could be a promising option for enhancing cancer treatment in dogs.
People also search for: dog cancer treatment options · GSK856 for dogs · side effects of cancer treatment in dogs · immune therapy for dog tumors
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist drugs can induce expression of interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) and proinflammatory cytokine production aimed to enhance antitumor immunity. The purpose of the current study was to determine the safety, pharmacokinetic, and systemic and intratumoral pharmacodynamic properties of a novel, intravenously delivered STING agonist in client-owned dogs with cancer. METHODS: GSK856, a small-molecule dimeric amidobenzimidazole STING agonist, was administered intravenously to dogs with naturally developing tumors. Patients received two doses of GSK856 1 week apart, followed by definitive-intent surgical tumor removal. RESULTS: 19 dogs diagnosed with various solid tumor types, including malignant melanoma (oral mucosa, n=9; digit, n=1; conjunctiva, n=1), soft tissue sarcoma (5), rhabdomyosarcoma (1), oral fibrosarcoma (1), and mammary squamous cell carcinoma (1), were enrolled. Systemic pharmacokinetic analysis revealed rapid plasma clearance of GSK856 within 30 min of bolus administration. Clinical adverse events of fever, lethargy, and nausea were transient. Concurrent elevation in serum cytokines, including interleukin-6, was consistent with cytokine release syndrome following activation of the STING pathway. Transcriptional analyses of pretreatment and post-treatment blood and tumor tissue revealed robust induction of ISGs. CONCLUSIONS: These data identify tolerated dose levels for a novel, intravenously delivered STING agonist compound that results in on-target effects in systemic and intratumoral immune responses in dogs with solid tumors.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41381219/