Tigilanol tiglate is an innovative veterinary drug for treating certain cancers in animals. It originates from a specific plant.
Understanding Tigilanol Tiglate
Tigilanol tiglate is an antineoplastic agent derived from the seeds of the Fontainea picrosperma plant, also known as the blushwood tree, native to Queensland, Australia. Approved for dogs, it is marketed as STELFONTA in the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The drug is administered as an intratumoral injection, delivered directly into the tumor.
How Tigilanol Tiglate Targets Tumors
Tigilanol tiglate works by inducing rapid, localized destruction of tumor cells. It initiates an acute inflammatory response at the injection site, drawing immune cells to the tumor.
The drug also disrupts the tumor’s blood supply, leading to hemorrhagic necrosis, which is the death of tissue due to a lack of blood flow and bleeding. This vascular disruption causes tumor cells to undergo oncosis, a form of cell death characterized by swelling and eventual bursting of the cells.
The dead tumor tissue then separates from healthy surrounding tissue, forming a wound that heals naturally. The immune system plays a role in clearing the necrotic debris, contributing to tumor resolution.
Treating Mast Cell Tumors
Tigilanol tiglate is indicated for the local treatment of non-metastatic cutaneous (skin) and subcutaneous (under the skin) mast cell tumors in dogs. This treatment is particularly useful for tumors that are not easily removed through traditional surgical methods, such as those located in challenging anatomical areas like the lower limbs. The tumor should be no more than 10 cm³ in volume and accessible for direct injection.
Clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of tigilanol tiglate in achieving tumor resolution. A single injection can lead to a complete response in approximately 75% of treated dogs within 28 days. For dogs that do not achieve a complete response with one treatment, a second injection can increase the complete response rate to about 87-88%. Studies indicate that 89-96% of dogs remain disease-free at the treated site for up to 12 months following treatment.
What to Expect During and After Treatment
The veterinarian injects tigilanol tiglate directly into the mast cell tumor. Following the injection, local reactions around the tumor site are expected. These reactions typically include swelling, redness, and pain at the injection site, as well as the formation of a wound as the tumor breaks down.
Tumor slough, where the dead tumor tissue detaches, usually occurs within 3 to 14 days after treatment, exposing a wound that will heal by second intention. The size of the wound is generally related to the original tumor volume, with maximal wound area often evident by day 7.
Most wounds heal completely within 28 to 42 days, though some may take longer, with 96% of wounds healed by 84 days. Diligent wound care, as directed by the veterinarian, is important during this healing phase, though many cases require minimal intervention. Veterinary monitoring is necessary to assess healing and overall response.