Understanding the terms used in your pet's treatment
An unwanted side effect that happens during or after treatment. These are graded from mild (Grade 1) to severe (Grade 5) to help vets decide how to adjust treatment.
A scoring system from 1 to 9 that assesses your pet's body fat level. Scores of 4-5 are considered ideal. It helps vets monitor weight-related changes during treatment.
A measure of how strongly a neoantigen peptide attaches to immune system molecules (HLA/MHC). Lower values (measured in nM) mean stronger binding, which generally leads to better immune recognition.
A procedure where a small sample of tissue is taken from a tumour or suspected area and examined under a microscope to confirm a cancer diagnosis and determine its type.
A common multi-drug chemotherapy regimen using four drugs: Cyclophosphamide, Hydroxydaunorubicin (Doxorubicin), Oncovin (Vincristine), and Prednisone. Often used as first-line treatment for lymphoma in dogs.
The proportion of tumour cells that carry a specific mutation. Higher clonality means the mutation is present in more of the cancer cells, making it a better target for treatment.
When all detectable signs of cancer disappear after treatment. This does not necessarily mean the cancer is cured, but it indicates the treatment is working very well.
A standardised system for measuring how tumours respond to treatment in companion animals. It classifies responses as complete response, partial response, stable disease, or progressive disease.
A widely used chemotherapy drug in veterinary oncology, effective against many cancer types including lymphoma and osteosarcoma. It is given as an intravenous injection.
Molecules on the surface of cells that present small pieces of proteins to the immune system. They help the immune system distinguish between normal cells and cancer cells.
A score that predicts how likely the immune system is to recognise and attack a specific neoantigen. Higher percentages mean the immune system is more likely to respond to that target.
A type of cancer treatment that helps the immune system fight cancer. Unlike chemotherapy, which directly kills cancer cells, immunotherapy trains the body's own defences to recognise and destroy tumours.
An oral chemotherapy drug commonly used in dogs for brain tumours, lymphoma, and mast cell tumours. It is given as a capsule every three weeks.
A common cancer in dogs and cats that affects the lymph nodes and immune system. It often causes swollen lymph nodes and can affect multiple organs throughout the body.
One of the most common skin cancers in dogs. These tumours arise from mast cells, which are part of the immune system. They range from low-grade (less aggressive) to high-grade (more aggressive).
An assessment of your pet's muscle mass that is separate from body fat. Important for pets with cancer because muscle loss can occur even if weight stays the same.
A type of cancer that develops from pigment-producing cells. In dogs, oral melanoma is aggressive and common, while in cats it is rare. Melanoma can also occur on the skin and nail beds.
A personalised cancer vaccine that uses messenger RNA to teach the immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells. Each vaccine is designed specifically for an individual pet's tumour.
A new protein fragment found only on cancer cells, created by mutations in the tumour's DNA. Because neoantigens are unique to cancer, they make excellent targets for immunotherapy.
An aggressive bone cancer most commonly seen in large and giant breed dogs. It typically affects the legs and can spread to the lungs. Treatment usually involves surgery and chemotherapy.
When a tumour shrinks significantly during treatment (typically by 30% or more) but does not disappear completely. This still indicates the treatment is having a positive effect.
When cancer grows or spreads despite treatment, typically defined as an increase in tumour size of 20% or more, or the appearance of new tumours.
An assessment of how your pet is feeling day-to-day during treatment. It considers factors like pain, appetite, hydration, happiness, and mobility to help guide treatment decisions.
When the cancer neither grows significantly nor shrinks during treatment. While not a dramatic response, stable disease can still be a positive outcome as it means the cancer is being controlled.
The total number of mutations found in a tumour's DNA. Tumours with a higher mutation burden may respond better to immunotherapy because they produce more neoantigens for the immune system to target.
A standardised grading system used by veterinary oncologists to consistently describe and track treatment side effects, from Grade 1 (mild) to Grade 5 (fatal).