Blog Archives - ELIAS Animal Health

One Health: Leveraging the Intersection of Health Across Our World

January is One Health Awareness Month, which recognizes and promotes the "interconnectedness of the health of people, animals, and the environment." (Forbes.) ELIAS Animal Health was founded to apply the progress that has been made in fighting human cancers in the veterinary space, and then share the findings with our human health counterparts. We follow a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach, aligned with the One Health philosophy about the connections and correlations between the health of people, animals, and the environment. Human and canine cancers share similarities, so research on either side can impact and support the other: TVAX Biomedical is launching a glioblastoma study in the near future. ELIAS’ origins came from the early work and research conducted by TVAX. TVAX and Genelux Corporation, a clinical stage immunotherapy company focused on developing oncolytic virus therapies for humans, have formed a joint venture known as V2ACT Therapeutics™, LLC that will focus on [...]

By Tammie Wahaus|2023-01-24T12:56:03-06:00January 10th, 2023|Categories: Blog|Tags: cancer, clinical trial, one health|0 Comments

Why We Use Cytotoxic T Cells to Attack Cancer

Artist interpretation: Cytotoxic T cells (blue) attack a cancer cell (orange). The immune system hosts an army of white blood cells dedicated to helping the body fight infections. One faction of this army includes T cells, a type of white blood cell that develops from stem cells in bone marrow. There are three main types of T cells that each play a different role in the highly-coordinated defense of the body against illness: Regulatory T cells modulate the immune response and prevent other immune cells from becoming overactive. Helper T cells help activate other immune cells once they detect evidence of a foreign invader, such as a virus or cancer. Killer, or cytotoxic, T cells directly attack and destroy cells they recognize as being foreign. Over the past few decades, advancements in immunotherapy have come a long way, and it is now an important part of treating some [...]

By Jessica Wiley|2022-12-19T14:09:07-06:00December 19th, 2022|Categories: Blog|Tags: adoptive cell therapy, canine cancer, cytoxic t cell, ECI, immunotherapy, killer t cell|0 Comments

ECI®: What to Expect During the T Cell Infusion

The ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI®) is an alternative treatment option to chemotherapy for certain types of canine cancer. ECI is a two-step sequential and interdependent protocol. Step 1 involves priming the patient’s immune system with a personalized vaccine that stimulates an immune response. Step 2 is the activation, expansion and reinfusion of the patient’s cancer antigen-specific T cells which can travel to and attack the cancer cells in the dog’s body. We’re often asked if patients can receive only the vaccines, without T cell infusion. Both steps are essential and play different roles in treatment. Stimulating the immune system isn’t enough to eliminate cancer. The vaccine step primes the immune system to create T cells that can specifically recognize the cancer cells. In the second step of the treatment protocol, these T cells are collected from the blood, and then functionally activated and numerically expanded in the laboratory. Once [...]

By Jessica Wiley|2022-11-17T19:36:13-06:00November 16th, 2022|Categories: Blog|Tags: cancer immunotherapy, canine osteosarcoma, ECI, immunotherapy, t cells|0 Comments

Canine Cancer Resources For Pet Owners

When pets are diagnosed with cancer, pet owners can sometimes feel lost about where to find help and information about their options. The best place to start is the family veterinarian. He or she can answer questions and help families navigate a difficult diagnosis. The family vet can help make referrals to veterinary oncologists, and even provide information about the treatment options available for their pet. Learn About Canine Cancer ELIAS Animal Health is committed to developing better treatment options for animal cancer for pets and their families. To support veterinarians and their clients in the quest for information, we've put together some content that speaks plainly and clearly to dog owners and their care teams. We hope these articles and podcasts serve as a resource for you and your clients. The Connection Between Canine and Human Cancer touches on the cross-collaboration between human and canine cancer researchers and how [...]

By Jessica Wiley|2022-10-24T19:39:28-06:00October 24th, 2022|Categories: Blog|Tags: canine cancer, ECI, immunotherapy, pet owners|0 Comments

National Veterinary Technician Week: Celebrating The Resilience of Those In This Vital Role

National Veterinary Technician Week is celebrated October 16-22, and this year the theme is: “Veterinary Technicians’ Resilience is the Heart of Veterinary Medicine.” Veterinary technicians are the men and women who seamlessly execute veterinary patient care. Serving on the frontlines of animal care, their resiliency and passion to provide the best care for their patients is what makes the veterinary technician role so vital. In human medicine, several people would fill the role of one veterinary technician: nurse, x-ray technician, phlebotomist, EMT, surgical technician…the list goes on. What is a Veterinary Technician? Veterinary technicians are credentialed professionals whose medical knowledge and clinical skills provide routine and emergency care. They work alongside veterinarians to provide the medical care that helps animals live healthy, happy lives. Vet techs play an important role in veterinary patient care. Their attention to detail ensures that each patient receives proper care, no matter what ails them. [...]

By Jessica Wiley|2022-10-10T10:26:07-06:00October 10th, 2022|Categories: Blog|Tags: veterinary technician|0 Comments

Three Ways Apheresis Is Used in Veterinary Medicine

What is Apheresis? Apheresis is a nonsurgical treatment where a patient’s blood is withdrawn from the body to separate plasma and cells and is often used to treat patients with autoimmune diseases, those suffering from blood intoxications—such as overdoses and poisonings—as well as cancer. In humans, apheresis is also the process by which donations of plasma, platelets and red blood cells are donated. These types of donations are different than a whole blood donation; apheresis is required to extract specific components of the blood and then return the remaining components to the donor. On Apheresis Awareness Day, ELIAS Animal Health recognizes and applauds apheresis practitioners around the world who are advancing this important therapy in both human and animal medicine. We also honor the many generous donors who help to save countless lives. Access to apheresis in veterinary medicine has more than doubled in the past 3 years, and [...]

By Jessica Wiley|2022-09-21T11:29:32-06:00September 19th, 2022|Categories: Blog|Tags: adoptive cell therapy, apheresis, ECI, immunotherapy|0 Comments

Can We Treat Cancer Without Chemotherapy?

Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs, and in humans it is second only to heart disease. For decades, chemotherapy has been the only option and a necessary evil to treat cancer. Most of us know someone who has gone through chemo, and side effects can significantly impact quality of life during and after treatment. Chemotherapy targets cells at different stages of the cell cycle, and because cancer cells often form more quickly than normal cells, chemo can be effective in destroying cells and preventing them from growing, dividing, and making more cells. Unfortunately, “chemo drugs can’t tell the difference between healthy cells and cancer cells. This means normal cells are damaged along with the cancer cells, and this causes side effects. Each time chemo is given, it means trying to find a balance between killing the cancer cells (in order to cure or control the disease) [...]

By Tammie Wahaus|2022-07-19T20:11:01-06:00July 19th, 2022|Categories: Blog|Tags: adoptive cell therapy, chemotherapy, ECI, immunotherapy, quality of life|0 Comments

PODCAST: ELIAS CEO talks immunotherapy and canine osteosarcoma on Dog Cancer Answers

ELIAS Animal Health CEO, Tammie Wahaus, was a recent guest on the Dog Cancer Answers podcast to discuss how the ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI) works, the role of a healthy immune system in successful immunotherapy, and why we chose to focus on canine osteosarcoma first. Listen to the episode below, or read the full transcript at Dog Cancer Answers online. Listen to more episodes of the Dog Cancer Answers podcast here.

By Jessica Wiley|2022-10-20T13:12:00-06:00June 1st, 2022|Categories: Blog|Tags: cancer immunotherapy, canine cancer, canine osteosarcoma, ECI, podcast|0 Comments

PODCAST: ELIAS CEO Discusses Treatment Option for Bone Cancer in Dogs on Fuzzybutts & Friends

ELIAS Animal Health CEO, Tammie Wahaus, was the featured guest on the Fuzzybutts & Friends podcast. Hosted by Luke Robinson, founder of the PuppyUp Foundation, the podcast explores how the ELIAS Cancer Immunotherapy (ECI®) works against bone cancer in dogs, as well as how ELIAS is committed to developing more immunotherapies for pets with cancer. Check out the episode below! Learn more about the PuppyUp Foundation here. Watch more episodes of the Fuzzybutts & Friends podcast here.

By Jessica Wiley|2022-07-17T12:48:00-06:00April 29th, 2022|Categories: Blog|Tags: canine cancer, canine osteosarcoma, ECI|0 Comments

What Does the Future of Canine Cancer Treatment Look Like?

Immunotherapy is increasingly becoming an important tool in the oncologist’s arsenal to improve clinical outcomes for both human and veterinary patients alike. Studies have shown that immunotherapies can produce durable responses in some patients, both human and companion animals. The power of combining immuno-oncology approaches such as adoptive cell therapies, oncolytic viruses, and checkpoint inhibitors, among others, has the potential to significantly increase the number of patients that become long term survivors. The article, "The future of canine cancer treatment" discusses the research ELIAS Animal Health is doing to evaluate how to improve patient response rates with these combination approaches. Read the full article at Veterinary Practice News online.

By Jessica Wiley|2022-03-24T19:48:24-06:00March 16th, 2022|Categories: Blog|Tags: adoptive cell therapy, canine cancer, immunotherapy|0 Comments