Developing Novel Chemotherapy Delivery System

Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant bone cancer of dogs. It comprises almost 3% of all canine cancer cases and disproportionately affects large and giant breed dogs. An emerging field of cancer research focuses on use of extracellular vesicles (EVs), natural nanoparticles harvested from mesenchymal stem cells, as vehicles for treatment delivery. EVs can hone in on and penetrate tumors, and have the potential to carry drugs or other substances that kill cancer cells directly to the tumor. In this study, researchers will harvest EVs from canine mesenchymal stem cells, load the EVs with doxorubicin (a chemotherapy drug used in osteosarcoma treatment), and test the drug-loaded EV’s ability to kill canine osteosarcoma cells. Findings will inform the development of novel osteosarcoma treatments to help slow tumor spread and improve survival times of dogs with this devastating cancer.