Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
The effect of Acemannan Immunostimulant in combination with surgery and radiation therapy on spontaneous canine and feline fibrosarcomas.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association
- Year:
- 1995
- Authors:
- King, G K et al.
- Affiliation:
- Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists · United States
Plain-English summary
In this study, eight dogs and five cats with a type of cancer called fibrosarcoma (a tumor that can grow in soft tissues) were treated with a substance called Acemannan Immunostimulant along with surgery and radiation therapy. These pets had tumors that came back after previous treatments and were not expected to survive long. After receiving Acemannan for four to seven weeks, some of the tumors shrank significantly, and there was an increase in tissue damage and inflammation in the tumors. All the pets had their tumors surgically removed between four and seven weeks after starting Acemannan, and they received radiation therapy right after the surgery. After a year of ongoing Acemannan treatments, seven out of the thirteen pets were still alive and free of tumors, with an average survival time of about a year. This suggests that Acemannan might help improve outcomes when used alongside surgery and radiation for treating fibrosarcomas in dogs and cats.
Abstract
Eight dogs and five cats with histopathologically confirmed fibrosarcomas were treated with Acemannan Immunostimulanta in combination with surgery and radiation therapy. These animals had recurring disease that had failed previous treatment, a poor prognosis for survival, or both. Following four to seven weekly acemannan treatments, tumor shrinkage occurred in four (greater than 50%; n = 2) of 12 animals, with tumors accessible to measurement. A notable increase in necrosis and inflammation was observed. Complete surgical excision was performed on all animals between the fourth and seventh week following initiation of acemannan therapy. Radiation therapy was instituted immediately after surgery. Acemannan treatments were continued monthly for one year. Seven of the 13 animals remain alive and tumor-free (range, 440+ to 603+ days) with a median survival time of 372 days. The data suggests that Acemannan Immunostimulant may be an effective adjunct to surgery and radiation therapy in the treatment of canine and feline fibrosarcomas.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8542364/