Gamgee is developing personalized mRNA cancer vaccines from each dog’s own tumor, beginning with an Australian clinical trial for mast cell tumor and osteosarcoma.
What Gamgee is studying
Rather than targeting every cancer in the same way, we use each dog’s tumor and matched blood to design a vaccine intended to help the immune system recognize that individual cancer.
It is a therapeutic cancer vaccine for dogs that already have cancer, not a routine vaccine intended to prevent cancer in healthy dogs.
Gamgee’s approach starts with tumor tissue and matched blood from one dog. We compare them to identify mutations found in the cancer but not in healthy cells.
Selected mutation-derived targets are encoded into an mRNA vaccine intended to direct an immune response toward that dog’s cancer.
These aim to reduce the chance of cancer developing in a healthy dog. Broad preventive approaches are being studied, but they are not routine preventive care.
Prevention is not part of our current therapeutic trial. As the platform and evidence develop, Gamgee is exploring how cancer-vaccine technology could expand over time, including its potential role before cancer develops.
The workflow turns information found in one dog’s tumor into a patient-specific mRNA design. Each stage requires laboratory, computational and clinical review.
Tumor tissue and a normal sample, usually blood, provide the paired material needed to separate inherited variation from tumor-specific changes.
Sequencing data is analyzed to identify mutations present in the tumor but not in the dog’s normal sample.
Candidate neoantigens are assessed and ranked. Prediction is imperfect, so expert review and quality controls matter.
Selected targets are encoded in an mRNA design intended to help antigen-presenting cells teach T cells what to recognize. The design is reviewed before manufacturing, with the selected targets documented for the clinical team.
The finished vaccine is delivered to the treating clinic with a patient-specific dosing schedule.
Clinical and response data are monitored so the trial can evaluate safety and patient outcomes.
This describes the research concept. It does not mean every tumor yields suitable targets, that every dog is eligible, or that an immune response will produce a clinical benefit.
A vaccine design is a biological hypothesis. Sequencing, immune monitoring and clinical outcomes are separate layers of evidence, and each needs to be measured directly.
Yes, although there is no single vaccine for every type of canine cancer. Gamgee is developing a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine for dogs, created using information from each dog’s own tumor. The approach is currently investigational and is being studied through an Australian clinical trial.
Most cancer vaccines for dogs are therapeutic, meaning they are intended for dogs that already have cancer. Gamgee is currently studying this type of vaccine: a personalized mRNA vaccine designed from each dog’s tumor. Preventive cancer vaccines are also being researched, but they are not part of Gamgee’s current trial.
Personalized mRNA cancer vaccines for dogs remain investigational. Gamgee is evaluating its approach through an Australian clinical trial currently limited to mast cell tumor and osteosarcoma. Registration does not guarantee screening, eligibility, enrollment or treatment.
The current trial is considering dogs with mast cell tumor or osteosarcoma. Gamgee is not currently accepting other cancer types into this trial, and not every dog with MCT or osteosarcoma will meet the study’s individual selection requirements.
Not generally. Cancer vaccines are commonly studied or used as part of a wider treatment plan. Only the treating veterinary team can advise whether surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, palliative care or a research study is appropriate for an individual dog.
There is no single price. Costs depend on the product or study, tumor sampling, sequencing, manufacturing, specialist care, travel and follow-up. If you register interest in Gamgee’s clinical trial, the Gamgee team will explain the study process, potential costs and what may be covered. Registration does not guarantee eligibility, enrollment or treatment.
The first dog treated with a personalized neoantigen vaccine.
We are accepting registrations for dogs with mast cell tumor or osteosarcoma. Every case is reviewed individually, and not every dog with one of these diagnoses will be selected for screening, enrollment or treatment.
The trial is not currently accepting other cancer types. The authorized trial team and treating veterinarian determine potential eligibility. Please continue your dog’s existing veterinary care while your information is reviewed.
View the Australian trial →