
|

Continuing research is essential in the effort to better understand the
complex issue of vaccine-associated sarcomas. While prevention is
the ultimate goal in the battle against this aggressive cancer, so too are
researchers continuing their quest regarding how best to successfully
treat it.
We're pleased to be able to share with
you the abstract titled:
"Intra-tumoral Gene Delivery of feIL-2,
feIFN-γ and feGM-CSF using Magnetofection as a Neoadjuvant Treatment
Option for Feline Fibrosarcomas: A Phase-I Study", published
in:
J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med.
2007 Dec;54(10):599-606.
|

The professional community is continuing to conduct research in an
attempt to determine "which" treatment protocol holds the
greatest hope in battling this aggressive cancer. We're pleased to be able
to share with you the abstract titled: "Adjuvant
Immunotherapy of Feline Fibrosarcoma with Recombinant Feline
Interferon-ɯ",
published in the November/December 2007 issue of the "Journal
of Veterinary Internal Medicine".
|

Many questions remain unanswered in the battle against VAS even though researchers
continue to make great strides in their attempt to better understand this
aggressive cancer. We're pleased to be able to share with you the
abstract titled: "Bilateral
Subcutaneous Fibrosarcomas in a Cat Following Feline
Parvo, Herpes and Calicivirus Vaccination
|

Continuing to document the risk of VAS worldwide we present the
abstract titled: "Comparison of the Histology
and Immunohistochemistry of Vaccination-Site and Non-Vaccination-Site
Sarcomas from Cats in New Zealand", published in the October
2007 New Zealand Veterinary Journal.
|
WPIX, Channel 11 of New York recently presented "Miracle
Cure for Pet Cancers" on the "Fact Finders" segment
of their nightly news program.
This heartfelt story focuses on Rover, a twelve year old feline child and
his family valiantly battling VAS. Rover's veterinarian is utilizing
Neoplasene or "Blood Root" in an attempt to shrink and hopefully
eradicate his progressed and ulcerating tumor.
The choice between traditional and natural medicine continues to evolve.
Our continued goal is to empower animal lovers with the information which
enables them to make the very best decision regarding the health care
needs of their furry family's.
"Miracle
Cure for Pet Cancers ?"
Note: The video will play
after a brief "intro" commercial.
|

Thanks to the continued kind assistance of Dr. Brian Wilcock and
Anne Wilcock, we are pleased to be able to share with you an updated
statistical summary of cases submitted to their organization, HISTOVET,
Veterinary Pathology, for diagnostic
evaluation.
Dr. Wilcock is a highly respected surgical pathologist as well as a
professor of pathology at Ontario Veterinary College. In addition to
Dr. Wilcock's numerous professional achievements, he is recipient of the
distinguished "Award of Merit" by
the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association.
Feline
Postvaccinal Sarcomas: Year 2006 Canadian Update
|

Continuing research is essential in the effort to better understand the
complex issue of vaccine-associated sarcomas. While prevention is
the ultimate goal in the battle against this aggressive cancer, so too are
researchers continuing their quest regarding how best to successfully
treat it.
We're pleased to be able to share with
you the abstract titled: "Results of a Phase II Clinical Trial on
the Use of ifosfamide For Treatment of Cats With Vaccine-Associated Sarcomas"
which follows the article below, both of which were published in the March
2006 issue of the "American Journal of Veterinary
Research".
|

Continuing research is essential in the effort to better understand the
complex issue of vaccine-associated sarcomas. While prevention is
the ultimate goal in the battle against this aggressive cancer, so too are
researchers continuing their quest regarding how best to successfully
treat it.
We're pleased to be able to share with
you the abstract titled: "Phase I Trial and Pharmacokinetic
Analysis of ifosfamide in Cats With Sarcomas" which was
published in the March 2006 issue of the "American Journal of Veterinary
Research".
|

The January 2006 issue of Veterinary
Pathology includes the article titled "Vaccine-Associated
Rhabdomyosarcoma with Spinal Epidural Invasion and Pulmonary Metastasis in
a Cat".
This abstract summarizes the development of another type of sarcoma and
resulting complications believed to be associated with the administration
of feline vaccinations.
|
The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical
Association is one of the most respected and widely read peer
reviewed publications within the veterinary community. We're pleased
to be able to share with you the article titled: "Outcome Following Surgical Removal of Nonvisceral Soft Tissue Sarcomas in Cats: 42 Cases 1992–2000".
While this research study included
different forms of feline soft tissue sarcomas, results suggest that tumor
size and type are significantly associated with survival time in cats with
nonvisceral soft tissue tumors.
|

Continuing research is essential in the effort to better understand the
complex issue of vaccine-associated sarcomas. While prevention is
the ultimate goal in the battle against this aggressive cancer, so too are
researchers continuing their quest regarding how best to successfully
treat it.
The November 2005 issue of Veterinary
Pathology includes the article titled "Aberrant p53 Expression in Feline Vaccine-Associated
Sarcomas and Correlation with Prognosis"
which details some of the latest research taking place at the University
of Wisconsin–Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine.
|

"Feline
Vaccine-Associated Sarcomas (FVAS)"
Dr. Elizabeth McNiel, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM Oncology,
Diplomate ACVR Radiation Oncology summarizes the current VAS related
research efforts at the University of Minnesota,
College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Cancer Center.
|

Dr. Philip Kass, DVM PhD, Dipl. ACVPM is a Professor of Epidemiology
at the University of California's School of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Kass is one of the nations leading experts in the field of veterinary
epidemiology and who with his colleagues has dedicated numerous years of
research towards attempting to better understand this aggressive cancer.
Dr. Kass recently conducted a "telelecture" titled "The
Epidemiology of Feline Vaccine-Associated Sarcomas"
sponsored by Fort Dodge Animal Health.
This lecture is an comprehensive overview of this complex issue in
veterinary medicine, one which experts have been attempting to understand
since 1991.
Special Note:
You
will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the pages of this comprehensive report.
(Please be patient as this is a very large file)
If you do not have this application already installed on your computer, you
can use this direct link to Adobe's website where you can download it for
free.
|
We are truly pleased to be able to share with you the complete
transcripts of the VAFSTF Roundtable Discussion
that was conducted in December of 2004.
Published in the June 1st issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical
Association, this comprehensive report is truly a one of a
kind assessment of this complex feline healthcare issue.
Our family would like to once again extend our heartfelt appreciation to Dr. James R. Richards, Director, Cornell
Feline Health Center, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Richards serves on the board of the "Vaccine-Associated
Feline Sarcoma Task Force" and whose efforts were instrumental in
seeing this most significant milestone to its fruition.
This report, authored by some of our nations leading veterinary
professionals is a "must read" for any feline loving family
attempting to make the best decisions concerning the vaccination needs of
their furry family.
|
The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical
Association is one of the most respected and widely read peer
reviewed publications within the veterinary community. We're pleased
to be able to share with you the article titled: "Researchers Probe Vaccine-Associated Feline
Sarcoma".
This article summarizes a
symposium which was presented at the AVMA's 2004 Annual
Symposium.
Dr.'s Dennis Macy and Richard Ford, two of the nations leading feline
immunology experts, provide a current summary of the efforts currently
taking place to better understand this aggressive cancer.
|

While many questions remain unanswered in the battle against VAS researchers
continue to make great strides in their attempt to better understand this
aggressive cancer. We're pleased to be able to share with you the
abstract titled: "
Published in the July 2004 issue of Cancer
Chemotherapy Pharmacology this abstract details the continued
research efforts taking place in
an attempt to provide the
most effective VAS treatment protocols.
|

We're pleased to be able to share with
you the abstract titled: "Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinases in
Feline Vaccine Site-Associated Sarcomas"
which was
published in the March 2004 issue of the "American Journal of Veterinary
Research".
This abstract details the continuing VAS related research efforts taking place
towards attempting to better understand the factors that lead to the
development of this aggressive cancer, with the additional hope of
developing the most successful treatment protocol(s).
|

We're
pleased to be able to share with you the abstract titled: ""
This abstract which was published in the January/February 2004 issue of
the Journal of the American Animal Hospital
Association briefly summarizes a "study
within a study" with regard to the treatment protocol's being
utilized in the battle to defeat this aggressive cancer.
|

The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical
Association is one of the most respected and widely read peer
reviewed publications within the veterinary community. We're
pleased to be able to share with you the abstract titled: "Multicenter
Case-Control Study of Risk Factors Associated With Development of
Vaccine-Associated Sarcomas in Cats"
|

We're pleased to be able to share with you the summary of a research study undertaken in an effort to better understand the
comparison of canine and feline post injection tumors.
"Fibrosarcomas at Presumed Sites of Injection in Dogs:
Characteristics and Comparison With Non-vaccination Site Fibrosarcomas and
Feline Post-Vaccinal Fibrosarcomas"
Published in the August 2003 issue
of the Journal of Veterinary
Medicine. A, Physiology, Pathology, Clinical Medicine Aug;50(6):286-91.
|

Continuing research is essential in the effort to better understand the
complex issue of vaccine-associated sarcomas. While the majority of
vaccine related tumors have, and continue to be associated with the feline
species, other cases of post vaccination related tumors have been reported
in other species as well.
"Histology and Immunohistochemistry of Seven
Ferret Vaccination-site Fibrosarcomas",
published in the May 2003 issue of Veterinary
Pathology provides a comprehensive assessment
of vaccination site tumors in ferrets.
|

"C.A.M.P. Advice on Injection-Site
Fibrosarcomas in Cats"
Published in the March 29, 2003 issue
of The Veterinary Record,
the Committee for Veterinary
Medical Products, European Agency
for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA) details the European
veterinary medical community's official "position" concerning
this important world wide health care concern.
|
Special Note:
The articles linked below are temporarily
available. The organization that manages the Wild West Veterinary
Conference has recently removed Dr. Macy's seminars from their web
effort.
We're currently in the process of attempting to
obtain a summary of these articles from our long time advocate Dr. Macy.
Dr. Dennis Macy of Colorado State University, College of Veterinary
Medicine is an internationally respected specialist in the field of
veterinary immunology as well as long time advocate of our family's
"effort of education".
We're very pleased to be able to share with you the symposium notes from
two seminars that Dr. Macy presented at the 2002
Wild West Veterinary Conference
"Vaccine Associated Sarcoma
- Diagnosis, Treatment and Prognosis"
"Vaccine-Associated Sarcomas: Are They All Caused By
Vaccines?"
|

"Veterinary Surgery" is the
official journal of the American College of
Veterinary Surgeons and the European
College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Previously, we had provided a link to the abstract titled: "Progression
of Vaccine-Associated Sarcoma in a Cohort of 294 Cats Described by a
Markov Process". (abstract)
We're now very pleased to present the full text of this research effort that
was presented at the 2002 ACVS Veterinary Symposium, October 17-20, 2002
San Diego, California. (full
text)
Special Note:
You
will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the pages of this comprehensive
publication.
If you do not have this application already installed on your computer, you
can use this direct link to Adobe's website where you can download it for
free.
|

The professional community is continuing to conduct research in an
attempt to determine "which" treatment protocol holds the
greatest hope in battling this aggressive cancer. We're pleased to be able
to share with you the abstract titled: "Liposome-Encapsulated Doxorubicin
(Doxil)
and Doxorubicin in the Treatment of Vaccine-Associated Sarcoma in Cats"
which was published in the November/December 2002 issue of the "Journal
of Veterinary Internal Medicine".
|

With the kind assistance of, and permission from our friends at the
"World Small Animal Veterinary Association",
we are very pleased to be able to share with you the comprehensive seminar
notes of two seminars that were presented as part of the WSAVA's year 2002 World Congress
which was held in
Granada, Spain - October 3-6.
"Update on Feline Fibrosarcoma"
(Dr. Patrick Devauchelle, DVM)
"Ten Best Kept Secrets for Treating Cats with Cancer"
(Dr. Gregory K. Ogilvie, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM)
|

We are pleased to be able to share with you the abstract titled: "Preoperative
Radiotherapy for Vaccine Associated Sarcoma
in 92Cats", published in the September/October 2002 issue of
"Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound", the official publication
of the "American College of Veterinary
Radiology".
This abstract details some of the continuing VAS related research efforts
being conducted in an attempt to determine the most effective treatment
protocol in the battle against this aggressive cancer.
|

Thanks to the kind assistance of Dr. Brian Wilcock and Anne
Wilcock, we are
pleased to be able to share with you an updated statistical summary of cases submitted to
their organization, HISTOVET, Veterinary
Pathology, for diagnostic evaluation.
Dr. Wilcock is a highly respected surgical pathologist as well as a professor of pathology at
Ontario Veterinary College. In addition to Dr. Wilcock's numerous professional
achievements, he is recipient of the distinguished "Award of Merit"
by the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association.
Feline Postvaccinal Sarcomas:
Year 2000 Canadian Update (1995-2000)
Feline Postvaccinal Sarcomas:
Year 2002 Canadian Update (1995-2002)
|

The professional community is continuing to conduct research in an
attempt to determine "which" treatment protocol holds the
greatest hope in battling this aggressive cancer. While surgery,
radiation and chemotherapy are traditionally considered the
"standard" of care with regard to veterinary oncology, new
"hope" is on the horizon.
We would like to extend our family's heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Rowan Milner, BVSc MMed Vet (Med) ECVIM Assistant
Professor, Small Animal Clinical Services College of
Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida. Thanks to Dr. Milner's
kind assistance we are pleased to be able to share the summary of an
exciting new VAS research study titled: "Immunogene
Therapy For Feline Vaccine Associated Sarcoma"
Dr.
Milner
and his colleagues'
efforts will hopefully lead to a
vaccine that would assist
in destroying
any residual
cancer cells in a kitty battling
VAS following "traditional" treatment. |

Reflecting the fact that the issue of VAS is truly of world-wide
concern, we are very pleased to be able to share with you three excellent
abstracts of seminars which are scheduled to be presented at the upcoming 2002 Annual Scientific Meeting of
the European Society of Veterinary Internal Medicine in
Munich Germany.
*Screening
of Cats With Fibrosarcoma for Clinical Trials – Experience of 250 Cases.
*Phase I
Clinical Study Of GM-CSF in the Adjuvant Therapy of Feline Fibrosarcomas.
*Phase
II-Study Of Adjuvant Immunostimulation Via Gene Therapy To Surgical
Excision of Fibrosarcoma in Cats.
Our family would like to thank Dr. Johannes Hirschberger, Professor,
Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, University of Munich for
allowing us to reproduce these abstracts as part of our dear Angel girl's
"effort of education".
We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to some very special
friend's in Germany, Mo and Leo and Ferdl &
Kaspar (their fur children). Mo is a journalist and were it not for her diligent
efforts in dialoguing with Dr. Hirschberger, our family would not have had
the opportunity to empower ourselves and others with this excellent
information. |

Vaccine adjuvant's, repeated inflammation and genetic predisposition
are the three main theories relating to the possible cause(s) of
injection site tumors. While there is as of yet no firm consensus
concerning which of these three factor(s) leads to the development of
injection site tumors, the distinguished researchers at the University
of Minnesota have truly reached a milestone.
"Methods And Reagents For Genetic Testing For A
Predisposition To The Development Of Vaccine Associated Sarcomas In Cats"
The University of Minnesota has a U.S. patent
pending for a simple test that will identify kitty's who have a genetic
predisposition to developing VAS.
As of yet we have been unable to obtain any comprehensive information
regarding this new genetic test but you can click on the logo above to
read a brief summary of information regarding this groundbreaking development
in veterinary medicine. |

Our family would like to thank Dr.'s Erica E. Carroll and Ronald D.
Schultz for taking the time out of their busy schedules to share a summary
of the VAS/companion animal research efforts taking place at the University
of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Schultz is a nationally recognized expert in the field of
veterinary immunology. With the assistance of esteemed colleagues such as
Dr. Carroll, their organization is helping to lead the research
efforts taking place towards improving the safety and efficacy of both
feline and canine vaccines. |
We're pleased to be able to share with
you the abstract titled: "Evaluation
of In Vitro Chemosensitivity of Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Cell
Lines to Vincristine and Paclitaxel"
which was
published in the May 2002 issue of the "American Journal of Veterinary
Research".
This abstract details the continued VAS related research efforts taking place in
an attempt to determine the treatment protocol(s) that will provide the
most effective means of battling this aggressive cancer. |

The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical
Association is one of the most respected and widely read peer
reviewed publications within the veterinary community. We're
pleased to be able to share with you the abstract titled: "Progress
Made In Feline Sarcoma Research" |

"Veterinary Surgery" is the
official journal of the "American College of
Veterinary Surgeons".
The link above will take you to the abstract titled: "Radical
Lateral Body-Wall Resection for Fibrosarcoma With Reconstruction Using
Polypropylene Mesh and a Caudal Superficial Epigastric Axial Pattern Flap: A
Prospective Clinical Study of the Technique and Results in 6 Cats".
This abstract details reconstructive surgery research efforts undertaken
by the professionals in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences,
College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN;
and at the South Texas Surgical Center, San Antonio, TX. |

We're pleased to be able to share with
you the abstract titled:
"Evaluation of Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Tissues From Feline Vaccine
Site-Associated Sarcomas For Feline Foamy Virus DNA"
which was
published in the January 2002 issue of the "American Journal of Veterinary
Research".
This abstract details the continued VAS related research efforts taking place in the
Departments of Veterinary Pathology (Kidney, Jackson) and Veterinary
Microbiology (Ellis, Haines), at the Western College
of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK,
Canada. |

We're pleased to be able to share with
you the abstract titled: "Feline
Vaccine-Associated Fibrosarcoma: Morphologic Distinctions" which was
published in the January 2002 issue of "Veterinary
Pathology", the official journal of the
American College of Veterinary Pathologists.
This abstract details the VAS related research efforts taking place at the University of California, School of
Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA. |

The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical
Association is one of the most respected and widely read peer
reviewed publications for members of the veterinary community. We're
pleased to be able to share with you the abstract titled: st |

We're pleased to be able to share with
you the abstract titled:
"Comparison of
Endogenous Feline Leukemia Virus RNA Content in Feline Vaccine and
Nonvaccine Site-Associated Sarcomas" which was
published in the December issue of the "American Journal of Veterinary
Research".
This abstract details the VAS related research efforts taking place in the
Departments of Veterinary Pathology (Kidney, Jackson) and Veterinary
Microbiology (Ellis, Haines), at the Western College
of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK,
Canada. |

Our family would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation
to Dr. Kenneth M. Rassnick, Assistant Professor, Comparative Cancer
Program, Cornell
University, College
of
Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Rassnick was kind enough to make the time in his busy schedule to
share with us a summary of a multicenter VAS chemotherapy trial, involving
the concerted efforts of veterinary oncologists throughout the country.
Dr. Rassnick and his distinguished colleagues at Cornell University are
helping to lead the research efforts taking place in the battle against
VAS. The purpose of this study, funded by
the Vaccine Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force and Winn Feline
Foundation
is to document evidence of antitumor activity when ifosfamide is used to
treat cats with vaccine-associated sarcomas.
We would also like to reference a comprehensive article concerning VAS
which was authored by two of Dr. Rassnick's colleagues at Cornell
University.
Linked below on this page, you will find the article titled:
"Feline
Vaccine-Associated Sarcomas" (J Vet
Intern Med 2001;15:176-182). Authored by Dr.'s Margaret C. McEntee and Rodney L. Page, Cornell
University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical
Sciences, this seven page report is truly one of the most comprehensive assessments
of the numerous issues relating to VAS.
|

With kind permission from Dr. William S. Dernell,
DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS, Animal Cancer
Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins,
Colorado and the kind assistance of our friends at the American
College of Veterinary Surgeons, we are very
pleased to be able to share with you the notes from a seminar titled: Vaccine
Associated Sarcomas In Cats: An Update.
Dr. Dernell presented this seminar as part of the ACVS's most recent
annual symposium, conducted October 11-14 in Chicago.
As the research taking place against this aggressive cancer is unfolding,
it is important to recognize that these comprehensive notes are based on
subjective information, CSU case experience and professional opinion. |

Thanks to the kind assistance of Dr. Douglas Thamm, Assistant
Scientist, University of Wisconsin Madison, School
of Veterinary Medicine, we are very pleased to be able to share
with you a summary of the most current research taking place in the battle
against VAS.
Dr. Thamm was kind enough to take the time out of his busy schedule to
summarize his organizations efforts towards seeking a treatment protocol
to successfully treat this aggressive cancer.
Our family would like to extend its most heartfelt appreciation to Dr.
Thamm and his distinguished colleagues for their tireless efforts towards
offering hope to those family's whose lives have been touched by this
terrible disease. |

One of the many unknowns in the battle against VAS is just
"what" treatment protocol holds the greatest promise towards
attempting to battle this aggressive cancer.
We are pleased to be able to share with you a summary of some of the most
current research taking place with regard to this issue.
"Establishment of two vaccine-associated feline
sarcoma cell lines
and determination of in vitro chemosensitivity to doxorubicin and mitoxantrone"
From the American Journal of Veterinary
Research. (September 2001 Vol. 62, No. 9)
(Note: This abstract resides on the AVMA's website) |

Our family would like to extend our most heartfelt appreciation to
our friends with the "American College of
Veterinary Internal Medicine". With their kind
permission and assistance, we are very pleased to be able to share with
you the article titled: "Feline
Vaccine-Associated Sarcomas" (J Vet
Intern Med 2001;15:176-182).
Authored by Dr.'s Margaret C. McEntee and Rodney L. Page, Cornell
University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical
Sciences, this seven page report is truly one of the most comprehensive assessments
of the numerous issues relating to VAS.
Special Note:
You
will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the pages of this comprehensive report.
If you do not have this application already installed on your computer, you
can use this direct link to Adobe's website where you can download it for
free.
|

The American College of Veterinary Radiology
is one of the nations leading veterinary organizations whose dedicated
professionals are continuing to lead the research effort that is
continuing to take place in the battle against VAS.
One of the most often asked questions in the battle against this
aggressive cancer is just "what" treatment protocol holds the
most promise for success.
While the answer to this question is still unknown at this time, we're
very pleased to be able to share with you an abstract titled: "Prolonged Remission and Survival Time
in Cats With Injection-Site Associated Sarcomas Using Pre-Operative Radiation
and Doxorubicin Protocol: 61 Cases (1988-2000)".
This abstract provides and excellent summary
of the VAS treatment protocols which are being utilized by the
distinguished professionals at "Gulf
Coast Veterinary Oncology".
This scientific program was presented at the ACVR's
Annual Conference, August 5-10, 2001, Honolulu Hawaii. |

Thanks to the kind assistance of Dr. Mark W. Dewhirst, DVM, PhD,
Professor in Radiation Oncology,
Duke University Medical Center, we are
very pleased to be able to share with you a summary of some of the most
current research taking place in the battle against VAS.
While technical as well as preliminary in nature, Dr. Dewhirst and his
colleagues are to be commended for their tireless efforts towards making a
positive difference in the battle against VAS as well as that of human
oncology as well. |

The prognosis for treating VAS is most often "guarded", but
even more so when this aggressive cancer is located in the interscapular
area (or scruff) of the kitty's neck. That is one of the reasons that
since 1998, the American Association of Feline Practitioners
and numerous other distinguished veterinary organizations have issued
guidelines that recommend that this location be avoided for
"all" injections.
" |

While technical in nature, we are pleased to be able to share with you
abstracts of two articles recently published in the March 2001
issue of "Veterinary Pathology".
"Immunohistochemical
detection of tumor suppressor gene p53 protein in feline injection
site-associated sarcomas &
"Feline vaccine-associated
fibrosarcoma: an ultrastructural study of 20 tumors (1996-1999)".
It has always been our belief that "knowledge is empowering", so
we present this information in the hope that companion animal lovers and
veterinary professionals can work hand in hand towards making the very
best decisions in the battle against VAS. |

The American College of Veterinary Internal
Medicine (ACVIM) is one of the nations leading veterinary
professional organizations whose members are diligently carrying forth the
battle against VAS.
The ACVIM conducted their 19th Annual Forum on May 23-26th, 2001 in
Denver, Colorado.
We're pleased to be able to share with you
the abstracts of these two seminars, which while technical in nature,
detail the VAS research efforts being conducted by the distinguished professionals
at Colorado State University, Department of
Radiological Health Sciences.
Characterization of Genetic
Alterations in Feline Vaccine-Associated Sarcoma
Using Whole Chromosome Painting Probes &
Characterization of Chromosomal Aberrations
in Feline Vaccine-Associated Sarcoma Using Comparative Genomic
Hybridization.
|

We are very pleased to be able to share with you a comprehensive summary of an article
that was published in the February 15, 2001 issue of the Journal of the American
Veterinary Medical Association.
Treatment with a Combination of Doxorubicin, Surgery, and Radiation versus Surgery and Radiation Alone for Cats with Vaccine-Associated Sarcomas: 25 Cases
(1995-2000).
We'd like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Victoria S.
Bregazzi, DVM, MS, DACVIM., University
of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine.
Without the kind support of such wonderful professionals as Dr. Bregazzi,
our family truly would be lost in our continuing efforts towards making a
positive difference in the lives of animal lovers around the world.
|
The battle against VAS is truly taking place on a worldwide basis.
Dr. Beverly Kidney and her distinguished colleagues in the Department of Veterinary Pathology,
Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan
Canada are conducting VAS research funded in part by the "Vaccine
Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force".
Our family would like to extend our most heartfelt appreciation to Dr.
Kidney for taking the time out of her busy schedule to share an abstract
of her organizations research efforts titled:
"Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcomas:
Investigation of Potential Viral Etiologies" which she
presented to the American College of Veterinary Pathology in the fall of 2000.
|

The University of Minnesota, College of
Veterinary Medicine is one of the distinguished organizations
leading the battle against VAS.
Dr. Kanjila Sagarika and her talented colleagues are conducting VAS
research which in part is being funded by the "Vaccine Associated
Feline Sarcoma Task Force".
While this update from late 2000 resides on "VirtualVet.com",
Dr. Kanjila has kindly offered to share a more current summary of
their organizations research efforts with our dear girl's "effort of
education".
|

"The
Treatment of Feline Fibrosarcoma with Lipopolysaccharide and
Cyclophosphamide". We've included a link to this case
report which was first published on November 15th, 2000.
This case report is presented on "Vet Online"
the first and leading independent,
peer-reviewed, free veterinary journal available on the internet, a
section of "Priory Lodge Education".
Edited by: Stephen J Baines
MA VetMB CertVR CertSAS MRCVS,
Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University Of Cambridge, UK
|

With the kind assistance of and permission from Dr. David Ruslander,
Assistant Professor of Clinical Sciences, Tufts
University, School of Veterinary Medicine, we are pleased to be
able to share with you the abstract: "Preoperative
and Postoperative Radiation Therapy for
Soft-Tissue Sarcomas in 28 Cats".
Dr.
Ruslander presented this summary of his organizations VAS research at the
"Veterinary Cancer Society's" 20th Annual Conference which was
held October 12-18th, 2000 in Pacific Grove, California.
Our family is grateful for not only the tireless effort that such
wonderful professionals as Dr. Ruslander and his talented colleagues are
putting forth in the battle against VAS, but also for their continued kind
assistance in helping us to carry forth our dear girl's inspired
"effort of education".
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The Animal Medical Center of New York, N.Y.
is one of the nations premier veterinary specialty treatment
centers. Funded by the VAFSTF, Dr. Ann
Hohenhaus and her talented staff of professionals are currently conducting
a study titled: "Comparison
of Tumor Response to Radiation Therapy Alone with Radiotherapy Plus an
Adjuvant Hemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carrier Radiotherapy Sensitizer, and
Follow-up Assessment After Surgery and Chemotherapy".
Our family would like to extend our most
heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Hohenhaus for taking the time to share this
summary of their organizations research with us.
Special
Note:
This
preliminary summary was composed for inclusion in a "White
Paper" that the VAFSTF that
has since been published.
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Thanks to the kind assistance of Dr. Charles Kuntz, DVM, MS, Diplomate
ACVS, we are pleased to be able to share with you the abstract titled:
"Modified Wide Local
Excision For Vaccine Associated Soft Tissue Sarcomas In Cats",
published in the September/October
issue of "Veterinary Surgery",
the official journal of the American
College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Dr. Kuntz also participated in a
Panel discussion concerning the treatment of VAS at the year 2000 ACVS
Symposium which took place September 21st-24th. |

The American College of Veterinary Radiology's 2000
Annual Conference was held November 28th - December 2nd in
Chicago Illinois. The ACVR's scientific program included the two
following presentations which we are pleased to be able to share abstracts of with you.
*PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF POST-SURGICAL IRIDIUM-192 BRACHYTHERAPY FOR
VACCINE-ASSOCIATED SARCOMAS IN 18 CATS
*THE UTILITY OF CONTRAST ENHANCED COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN FELINE
VACCINE ASSOCIATED SARCOMAS: 35 CASES |

Our family would like to extend our most heartfelt appreciation to our friends at
the American Animal Hospital Association for their kind
permission and assistance in making it possible for us to share with you the article
titled: "Combined Doxorubicin and
Cyclophosphamide Chemotherapy for Nonresectable Feline Fibrosarcoma".
This comprehensive article was published in the September/October 2000 issue of their
organization's professional journal.
Please note that you will need Adobe Acrobat to read these PDF files. If you don't
have this application installed on your computer, we've included a direct link to Adobe's
website where you can download this application for free. |

North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary
Medicine is one of the nations most respected
veterinary teaching hospitals. Dr. Donald E. Thrall, DVM, PhD,
Professor of Radiology at N.C. State is one of the talented professionals within their
organization who is helping to conduct the research efforts that will hopefully lead to a
successful treatment for VAS.
Dr. Thrall has kindly taken the time out of his busy schedule to share
with us a summary of the new "gene therapy"
research program which their organization has undertaken in their efforts to develop an
effective VAS treatment protocol.
Our family would like to once again extend our most heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Thrall
and the other distinguished professionals at N.C. State for their continued support of our
family's "effort of education". |
 The
American College of Veterinary Radiology is one of the many
distinguished professional organizations whose members are dedicating much effort towards
researching VAS. This past December, the ACVR held it's
Annual Scientific Meeting in Chicago Illinois. Part of the ACVR's meeting included a
presentation titled: "HYPERTHERMIA EFFECT ON
UPTAKE OF TECHNETIUM-99M LABELED LIPOSOMES IN FELINE SARCOMAS".
Hyperthermia
is one method used in both humans and animals for multi modality treatment of cancer
because of its ability to sensitize tumor cells to radiation. While technical in
nature, our everlasting belief is that "knowledge is empowering", and we
encourage any family that is unfortunately having to battle VAS to discuss this
information with their veterinarian.

Thanks to the kind assistance of Dr. David Needham, Professor, Department of
Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science at Duke University,
we are pleased to be able to share two excellent articles relating to Hyperthermia and VAS in felines.
The first link will take you to an updated full text article of the ACVR
abstract referenced above. This updated article was published in the
September 2000 edition of "Clinical Cancer Research".
The second link will take you to an comprehensive article published by the Duke University News Service. This article details not
only their organizations research efforts with regard to hyperthermia, but is an excellent
summary of the scientific theory and practice of this procedure.
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Our family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our wonderful
professional friends at North Carolina State University, College of
Veterinary Medicine for their continued kind assistance towards helping
us to carry forth our dear girl's inspired "effort of education".
With kind permission from Dr. Tetsuya Kobayashi and his colleagues, we are pleased to be
able to share with you "A Retrospective Analysis of 188 Cats
Evaluated For Feline Vaccine Site Sarcomas From 1985 To 1998
(preliminary results)".
Knowledge is truly empowering, and thanks to the support of Dr. Kobayashi and his
wonderful organization, there truly is hope in the battle against this terrible disease.
While this summary of their organization's VAS research is "preliminary", Dr. Kobayashi has kindly promised to share with
us the final analysis of their research efforts once this information becomes available. |

Thanks to Dr. Barbara Kitchell and her talented team of professionals at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary
Medicine, we are pleased to be able to share with you a retrospective study of their
organizations clinical experiences in treating VAS. Dr. Kitchell is a distinguished
member of the "Vaccine Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force".
Dr. Kitchell's organization is one of the nations leading veterinary colleges which
is spearheading the battle against VAS. Our family would like to extend our
heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Kitchell and her colleagues for lending us their kind
assistance towards helping us to carry forth our dear girls inspired "effort of
education". |

With kind permission from Dr. Philip Bergman, a longtime supporter of our family's
"effort of education" we are pleased to share with you "Recent Advances in the Treatment of Feline Vaccine-Associated Sarcomas".
Dr. Bergman's guest editorial was published in the May 2000 issue of "Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery". Our
family would also like to express our sincere appreciation to the wonderful professionals
at the publishing firm of "W.B. Saunders". It
was only with their kind permission and assistance that we are now able to share this
informative article with you.
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We are pleased to be able to share with you the presentation titled "Feline Vaccine: Responsibility, Science and Ethics".
Presented at the ACVIM's 2000 annual meeting, this symposiums
distinguished participants included: Richard B. Ford, DVM, MS, DACVIM
: Moderator
Dennis W. Macy, DVM, MS DACVIM
Lawrence D. McGill, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Philip J. Bergman, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVIM
This comprehensive presentation included such topics as "History
and Prognosis", "Chronic Inflammation",
"Risk and Treatment" as well as numerous other
topics relating to the issue of feline vaccinations and injection site sarcomas. |

Our family would like to extend its heartfelt appreciation to our friends at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for
giving us permission to share with you an abstract titled "Surgical
Treatment of Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcomas" which was presented at the
19th Annual Veterinary Cancer Society Conference. This professional conference,
which was held during November 13-16, 1999 in Woods Hole Massachusetts also included
several other presentations relating to VAS. Our family has been in continued
correspondence with our friends at the Veterinary Cancer Society
in the hope of being able to present even more timely and accurate information concerning
the research taking place in the battle against VAS. |

We are pleased to be able to share with you the abstract of an article which was
published in the January 2000 issue of the Journal of the American
Veterinary Medical Association.
"Prognosis for presumed feline
vaccine-associated sarcoma after excision: 61 cases (1986-1996)". |

Evaluation of a recombinant rabies vaccine local
postvaccinal reactions
Presented at the
JOINT CONGRESS
24th WORLD CONGRESS WSAVA
26th WVA WORLD CONGRESS
5th FECAVA CONGRESS
LYON-FRANCE SEPTEMBER 22-29,1999
This study evaluated the injection site reactions of
five nonadjuvanted feline vaccine combination products, four of which contained the new
canarypox rabies vector fraction in a rodent model that has previously been shown to mimic
the local inflammatory response in cats. |

Thanks to the kind support and permission from our friends at "Fancy
Publications", publishers of "Veterinary Product
News" (as well as numerous companion animal publications such as Cat and Dog
Fancy magazines), we are pleased to be able to share with you an article by Dr. Alice
Villalobos, Director of the VCA Coast Animal Hospital and Cancer Center, Hermosa Beach and
Woodland Hills CA. Dr. Villalobos is a distinguished veterinary specialist who was
recently awarded the 1999 Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award. In
her article titled "A Multi-Modality Approach to VAS",
Dr. Villalobos discusses her organizations extensive experience in treating VAS which she
presented at the Veterinary Cancer Society's Mini-VAS symposium held in Bodega Bay CA this
past February.
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Thanks to the continued kind assistance of Dr. David Ruslander,
Tufts University, College of Veterinary Medicine, we are
pleased to share with you a summary of the treatment protocols being used by their
organization to battle vaccine associated feline sarcomas. "Knowledge Is Empowering", and thanks to the support of such
respected professionals as Dr.Ruslander, we are able to continue carrying forth our dear
girls heartfelt "Effort of Education".
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We are VERY pleased to be able to share with you the 1999 VCS Mini-Conference Proceedings
which focused on the topic of Feline Vaccine-Associated Fibrosarcomas. Our family
wants to extend our most heartfelt gratitude to our friends at the Veterinary
Cancer Society for sharing this unprecedented information with us. Thanks to
the Veterinary Cancer Society, we are able to share with you
8 new articles authored by some of the nations leading veterinary professionals who are
leading the battle against VAS.
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The Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force (VAFSTF) met on
April 5, 1999 at the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) headquarters. At this
important meeting, the VAFSTF reported on such issues as new research grants, current
status of funded studies as well as to prepare concise guidelines to assist practitioners
in diagnosing and managing vaccine-associated sarcomas.
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The University of Minnesota's College of Veterinary Medicine
is currently engaged in a study concerning the pathogenesis of Vaccine Associated
Sarcomas. Thanks to the kind assistance of Dr. Carrie A. Wood, DVM,
ACVIM (oncology), Asst. Clinical Specialist, we are pleased to be able to share
with you a current summary of their organizations research study. Knowledge truly
is empowering, and thanks to such wonderful veterinary organizations as the University of
Minnesota, our family is able to continue carrying on our dear girls heartfelt
"effort of education".
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We are pleased to be able to share with you a few excerpts from an article in the February
1999 issue of "CATNIP", a publication of Tufts
University School of Veterinary Medicine. These excerpts deal with "Treatment Options", "Quality of
Life" and "Ongoing Research" relating
to VAS. To obtain a copy of this issue of "CATNIP",
or to subscribe to this excellent publication, please contact:
Subscription Services
P.O. Box 420235
Palm Coast, Florida 32142
(800) 829-0926
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On July 25, 1998, a symposium on vaccine site sarcomas in cats was held during the 135th
Annual meeting of the AVMA in Baltimore Md. During this Symposium, up to the minute
information on these tumors was presented by some of the leading veterinary researchers
from across the country. Topics included "historical review",
"pathogenesis", "etiology" and "treatment"
of the disease.
Below you will find a direct link to the above mentioned articles. We strongly believe
that "knowledge is empowering" and encourage you to
read this latest information concerning VAS authored by some of the most respected
professionals in the veterinary community.
Historical review and current knowledge of risk factors involved
in feline vaccine-associated sarcomas.
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1998 Nov 15;213(10):1422-3.
Review of treatment options for vaccine-associated feline sarcoma.
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1998 Nov 15;213(10):1426-7.
Feline vaccine-associated sarcomas: current studies on pathogenesis.
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1998 Nov 15;213(10):1425-6.
Etiology of feline vaccine-associated sarcomas: history and update.
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1998 Nov 15;213(10):1424-5. |

Summit On Oncology
We are pleased to be able to share with you an excellent article and source of
information written by Dr. Alice Villalobos, Director of the VCA
Coast Animal Hospital and Cancer Center. Dr. Villalobos updates an article which
she composed for the December 1997 issue of "Veterinary Forum
Magazine". This article includes the treatment protocols being used by her
organization in attempting to battle vaccine-associated sarcomas.
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Our family is pleased to be able to share with you an EXCELLENT
source of information concerning suggested treatment protocols for vaccine associated
sarcomas thanks to the veterinary professionals at "VIN".
This new information is a MUST read for any feline lover or
veterinarian seeking the latest information concerning what "course"
to take in the battle against this dreaded disease.
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The "Sleuth at Kremer's Ark has been in contact with Dr Rod Page DVM, MS of the University of North Carolina State Veterinary Teaching Hospital,
who has so kindly offered to share with Sylvia's effort the results of their organizations
efforts toward treating Post Vaccination Sarcomas. Dr Page requests that any referral
calls regarding specific cats be handled through consultation with the veterinarian
managing that cat rather than the owner. Their organizations "General Information and
Appointment" number is 919-821-9500.
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The Sleuth at Kremer's Ark was able to "dig" up the
results of this study concerning vaccine induced fibrosarcomas that was published by the
"Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary
Medicine, University of California , Davis.
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Below
you will find several links to information concerning the use of Acemannan as a therapy in
attempting to battle vaccine associated sarcomas. The first link is to Carrington
Laboratories, a manufacture of Acemannan. The other links include summaries of studies
using acemannan to treat vaccine induced sarcomas and references to the veterinary
journals which these summaries were based on.

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Treating Malignant Tumors in Cats and
Dogs by Virginia Lawrence Ph.D.
The above article is an execellent summary of the study undertaken
at the University of Texas-Houston, Center for Alternative Medicine Research in
Cancer. |

A link to the scientific summary of the above mentioned
study.
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