Preclinical testing at The Ohio State University found Telomir-Zn inhibited growth of canine and human osteosarcoma cell lines, prompting the company to explore a possible in-vivo study in dogs with naturally occurring tumors.
An experimental cancer drug was found to slow the growth of canine and human osteosarcoma cells in laboratory tests conducted at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, according to findings announced by the drug’s developer, Telomir Pharmaceuticals.
The drug, Telomir-Zn, was tested on cancer cells grown in-vitro—in a lab rather than in animals or people. The Miami-based company said it is talking with The Ohio State about a possible in-vivo efficacy study in dogs with naturally occurring osteosarcoma but has not said whether they have committed to one or set a timeline.
“Such research could accelerate clinical development in canine and human osteosarcoma,” the company said in an announcement.
Researchers led by Shay Bracha, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology), an associate professor at the college, tested the drug on 3 osteosarcoma cell lines: HOS, a human line, and D17 and Abrams, both canine lines. They evaluated dose-dependent antitumor activity, and all 3 lines showed growth inhibition at similar low drug concentrations, the company said.
The announcement did not report the concentrations, the degree of inhibition, or whether the work has been published or peer reviewed.
"Osteosarcoma in large-breed dogs remains devastating, with limited treatment options and poor outcomes," Bracha said in the announcement. "These findings suggest Telomir-Zn may offer a meaningful therapeutic opportunity for veterinary patients.
Bracha called the consistency of the drug's anti-tumor activity across canine and human cell lines "particularly compelling," saying it positions researchers to explore efficacy in dogs with naturally occurring osteosarcoma, a model she said could speed development for both species.
Approximately 80% to 90% of primary bone tumors in large-breed dogs are osteosarcoma, making it one of the most common common bone cancer in dogs.2 It’s also the most common primary bone cancer in children and young adults. For human patients with metastatic disease, 5-year survival remains around 30%, with limited improvement in outcomes over the past several decades.1
Telomir cited similarities between canine and human osteosarcoma in genetics, tumor biology, and response to treatment as the reason why dogs are a strong translational model.
For now, the company's focus is human breast cancer. The FDA has cleared an investigational new drug application for Telomir-Zn in a phase 1/2 trial for advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, and the company said the program is moving toward site initiation and patient enrollment.1
Telomir-Zn targets how cells regulate iron and copper, according to Telomir. The company said the drug disrupts intracellular labile iron pools and inhibits iron-dependent histone demethylases, which reverses epigenetic silencing associated with cancer.
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