Experimental treatment of equine sarcoid using a xanthate compound and recombinant human tumour necrosis factor alpha.

The research conducted experimental therapy on equine sarcoid tumors using a combination of D609 – a xanthate compound, KC12 – the potassium salt of lauric acid, and recombinant human TNF alpha. The treatment displayed promising results, showing complete regression in most cases and a notable decrease in tumor size in one specific case.

Introduction to the Experimental Treatment

• The research evaluated an experimental treatment utilizing a xanthate compound—D609, KC12—the potassium salt of lauric acid, and recombinant human TNF alpha (rh-TNF alpha) on equine sarcoid tumors.
• Equine sarcoids are common skin tumors in horses that can seriously impact the animal’s health. The adjacent healthy tissue’s invasion by these neoplasms makes them challenging to treat.
• The compounds used in this experiment have antitumor and antiviral properties, which prompted examining their potential use in treating these tumors.

Study Design

• Prior to treating the tumors, a pilot investigation was carried out on five healthy horses to test the tolerance level to these compounds.
• Post the toleration test, the treatment was administered to 11 horses diagnosed with sarcoid lesions.
• The substances were primarily administered subcutaneously under the tumor and occasionally topically, as an ointment, on the periocular sarcoid.

Outcome of the Treatment

• 10 out of 11 horses showed good tolerance to the treatment, barring one who experienced fever and lameness due to oedemas, leading to interruption of treatment.
• Out of the six horses treated only with the D609 and KC12, five tumors completely regressed, one remained the same. The topical ointment treatment of the periocular sarcoid resulted in a reduced tumor size.
• The five horses treated with a combination of D609, KC12, and rh-TNF alpha were not elaborated upon in this truncated abstract, the detailed results are expected in the full article.