Animal research saves people and their pets from cancer

In October, James P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo won the Nobel Prize in medicine for their groundbreaking cancer research.

With the help of mice, they developed six revolutionary cancer treatments that target the immune system. Some patients who received just one round of therapy have survived for nearly two decades.

Without animal models, the research breakthroughs of Allison, Honjo, and countless other scientists would never have come to pass. Indeed, animal research drives medical progress for humans and animals alike.

Each year, about six million dogs and six million cats are diagnosed with cancer. Nearly half of dogs and one-third of cats over the age of 10 develop the disease. They are among the many beneficiaries of the path-breaking cancer research conducted by generations of scientists.

Consider the story of Emma, a 10-year-old Portuguese water dog diagnosed earlier last year with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer that claimed former Sen. John McCain’s life. …to read full article click here

Source: The Independent