12th Annual European College of Equine Internal Medicine Congress.

The presented research article focuses on various aspects of equine internal medicine and features multiple independent studies. Topics explored range from different treatment options for equine melanoma, particularly the use of human tyrosinase DNA vaccinations, to assessing the efficacy of an anti-cancer compound for treating equine sarcoids. Other research focused on the comparison between ultrasonographic intestinal wall layering and histology in horses, and exploring potential biomarkers for equine neurodegenerative diseases.

Research on Treating Equine Melanoma with Human Tyrosinase DNA

• The first abstract presented research conducted to test the effects of a vaccination using human tyrosinase DNA on horses with melanoma.
• Twenty-eight grey horses suffering from melanomas were given transdermal injections of this DNA vaccine. Their melanoma size measurements taken at different days were compared to a control group of untreated horses, which showed an increase in melanoma growth, while the vaccine-treated horses experienced stagnation.
• Although the vaccine didn’t result in tumor regression, researchers consider the stagnation of the melanomas to be a promising outcome. Further large-scale and long-term studies are necessary to assess this treatment option further.

Assessment of Betulinic Acid Derivative as a Topical Treatment for Equine Sarcoids

• The study investigated the potential of a derivative of the anticancer compound betulinic acid, NVX-207, as a treatment for equine sarcoids, for which the currently available therapies are largely inefficient.
• In laboratory tests, this compound demonstrated antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects on primary equine sarcoid cells. Its capability to permeate equine skin was tested, and the detected amounts significantly exceeded the required concentrations to inhibit cell growth.
• However, this is preliminary lab data and safety and efficacy in live horses needs to be confirmed with further studies.

Comparison Between Ultrasonographic and Histology Intestinal Wall Layering in Horses

• In the third study, researchers compared ultrasonographic intestinal wall layering and histology in horses.
• Good agreement was found between histologic and sonographic measurements for all segments except for the ileum. The results indicate that accurate sonographic images of equine intestines can be obtained and potentially used as a valuable diagnostic tool.

Exploring Biomarkers for Equine Neurodegenerative Diseases

• Equine neuroaxonal dystrophy (eNAD) and equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM) are two common neurodegenerative diseases affecting horses, which currently lack reliable antemortem diagnostic tools.
• The study explores the use of phosphorylated neurofilament heavy subunits (pNfH), a neuron structural protein, as a potential biomarker. They found that pNfH concentrations in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid of eNAD/EDM affected horses were significantly higher than in unaffected horses.
• This indicates that pNfH could provide useful diagnostic information for these neurodegenerative diseases ante-mortem in horses.

This is just a snapshot of the extensive research presented in the article, all of which contribute valuable findings to the landscape of equine medicine and may improve treatment methods for various equine health conditions in the future.