IMMUNOCIDIN®. A veterinary biologic for the treatment of mixed mammary tumors and mammary adenocarcinomas in dogs.
Immunocidin® is a veterinary biologic for the treatment of mammary cancer in dogs. It's based on Bioniche's proprietary mycobacterial cell wall (MCW) technology platform, derived from Mycobacterium phlei.
Mycobacteria, especially their cell walls, have been known for many years to be active against a variety of tumors. Immunocidin® is an emulsion of mycobacterial cell wall fractions which have been modified to reduce their toxic and allergic effect but retain their immunomodulatory and anti‑tumor activity. Immunocidin® stimulates the activation of a variety of cytokines and lymphocytes which in turn display potent anti‑tumor activity.
Administration and Dosage
Immunocidin® is administered only by intratumoral injection. Carefully and thoroughly infiltrate the tumor. Avoid intravascular injection. Larger tumors may require more than one needle stick to infiltrate the entire mass. The injection may produce pain in some animals; sedation or analgesics may be required. The emulsion separates on standing; it is important to mix it thoroughly prior to administration. Shake or rotate the vial until the emulsion has a homogeneous "milky" appearance.
Dosage varies with tumor size, but generally 0.2 mL to 2.5 mL is administered per treatment (in dogs with more than one tumor, total dose is divided among tumors). 1 mL should be considered a minimum dose for the average dog; however, dose may be adjusted down (0.2 mL to 0.5 mL) for geriatric and smaller dogs.
Adverse Reactions
Mild fever, drowsiness, and an increased metabolic rate leading to decreased appetite may occur for one to two days following an Immunocidin® injection. These are all normal responses to the release of cytokines. Local inflammation (marked swelling and pain) often occurs following treatment, and may require the use of analgesics. Therapy should be discontinued until the reaction has subsided. Necrosis with suppuration often occurs in regressing tumours and clients should be informed that the treated area may drain for several weeks.
Treatment Protocols
Most dogs require three to four treatments. Tumors that fail to respond after four treatments should be considered refractory, and therapy discontinued.Treatments should be repeated every one- to three-weeks.
In the licensing studies for intratumoral treatment of mammary cancer in dogs, where M. phlei compounds were used as the sole treatment, the average age of the dogs was 10.7 years, the average number of treatments was three to four, and the average dose per treatment was 2.5 mL (2.5 mg of the biologically active compound (BAC)). There
was no difference in age, dose, or treatments for either mixed mammary tumour or mammary adenocarcinoma.
In all cases, the immunotherapy was well-tolerated, even in older dogs and in some animals which had health complications including chronic cardiovascular and renal disease. The study found that 88% of dogs treated with M. phlei compounds as the sole treatment for mammary cancer were tumor‑free two years later. 1
Intratumoral administration of Immunocidin® induces strong cell-mediated response which, in turn, directs the destruction of cancer cells. Remissions cannot be guaranteed as each tumor will have a variable response. Immunocidin® is USDA- and CFIA‑licensed for use in canine mammary tumors.
1. Ragland et al., Licensing Study Data on File.
A new era in veterinary cancer medication
Cancer is the leading cause of death in pets over two years of age and small animal cancer cases are prevalent in the weekly caseload of every veterinary hospital across North America. Veterinarians are faced with limited availability of licensed treatment options, challenges linked to handling off-label human chemotherapeutic agents and availability of referral centres, as well as client budgetary constraints.
The introduction of M. phlei-derived veterinary oncology products represents a significant advancement in the therapeutic options available for oncology cases in veterinary medicine.
These novel biologically active compounds have demonstrated a distinct and unique mechanism of action that allows them to be used independently or synergistically with other oncology therapies and will provide general practitioners as well as veterinary oncologists a wider range of treatment options for small animal cancer cases.
Treatment of benign mixed mammary tumors
| breed | Age | Location of tumor | Times Treated | Total dose (mL) | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poodle | 10 | R-3; R-4; L-4 | 3 each | 3.5; 2.25; 2.0 | Remission |
| Poodle | 10 | R-4; L-3 | 3 each | 3.0; 9.0 | Remission when euthanized 2 years later |
| Poodle | 10 | R-4; L-3 | 2 each | 4.0; 10.0 | Died*. 58% regression in R-4, 60% regression in L-3 |
| Boston Terrier | 13 | R-2 | 3 | 3.5 | Remission |
| Mixed | 14 | R-3 | 3 | 6.0 | Remission |
*Patient was presented with a systolic heart murmur of the left A-V valve. A post-mortem examination revealed changes of heart and lung which were indicative of congestive heart failure due to malfunction of the left A-V valve.
Treatment of mammary adenocarcinoma
| breed | Age | Location of tumor | Times Treated | Total dose (mL) | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed | 7.5 | R-3 | 3 | 20.0 | 80% regression when surgically excised |
| Mixed | 10 | R-5 | 2 | 3.5 | Remission |
| Mixed | 14 | ?; ? | 8 Each | 23.5; 21.5 | Neither tumor had responded when dog was killed in an auto accident |
| Daschund | 8 | L-3 | 6 | 30.0 | Remission |
| Terrier/Chihuahua | 11 | R-5 | 3 | 6.0 | Remission |
| Sheltie | 14 | R-5 | 3 | 6.0 | Remission |
| Daschund | 8 | L-4 | 3 | 4.5 | Remission |
Where to Buy Immunocidin®
Clarksburg,NJ
Phone: 800 634 5601
Ridgeland, MS
Phone: 888 440 1277
Nationwide
Phone: 1 800 824 3703
27533 - 50th Avenue Langley, BC V4W 0A2
Phone: (604) 856-2110
Fax: (604) 856-2115
2999 boulevard Choquette, C.P. Box 608 St-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 7C2
Phone: (450) 771-23680
Fax: (450) 773-4370
1600 Inkster Boulevard Winnipeg, MB R2X 2W4
Phone: (204) 233-8155
Fax: (204) 233-8169
17611 - 109 A Avenue Edmonton, AB T5S 2W4
Phone: (780) 413-2508
Fax: (780) 413-2530
References
Contact Us
If you have any questions about Immunocidin®, please download the Q&A sheet. If that does not answer your question, please contact us.
In the U.S.A., call
1-844-663-3349
or send an e-mail to sales@novavive.ca
NovaVive USA Inc.
119 Rowe Road
Athens, GA 30601 USA
TEL: (706) 549-3349
TOLL-FREE: 1-844-663-3349
FAX: (706) 548-3438
In Canada, call
613-391-3837
or send an e-mail to sales@novavive.ca
NovaVive Inc.
PO Box 3005, RR#7
Belleville, ON K8N 4Z7 Canada
TEL: (613) 391-3837
© NovaVive Inc.
