STELFONTA

Is STELFONTA® the best mast cell tumor treatment for my dog?

For non-surgical removal of mast cell tumors (MCT)

STELFONTA destroys 87% of mast cell tumors with 1 or 2 injections,1 2 so your dog can return to their usual self as soon as possible.   However, not all dogs or tumors are suited to STELFONTA.

Stelfonta Discussion Guide thumbnail

Ask your veterinarian if your dog is a candidate for STELFONTA

  • Learn which tumors are indicated for STELFONTA
  • Discover whether STELFONTA is right for your dog

Is your dog a candidate for STELFONTA?

STELFONTA was approved by the FDA in 2020 to treat all grades of mast cell tumors, as long as they have not yet spread to other areas of the body (metastasized).6

Ask your vet whether your dog is a suitable candidate for STELFONTA. The tumor should be:

  • No more than 10cm³ (about the size of a walnut in its shell)
  • Easy to reach for injection
  • Anywhere on your dog’s body if it’s on the surface of the skin, and below the skin on your dog’s legs (see illustration below)
Mast cell tumors on the skin surface
Mast cell tumors below the skin surface

STELFONTA should not be injected into mast cell tumors that are underneath the skin (subcutaneous) and located above the elbow or hock (e.g. on the body, head, or neck) as necrotic debris from the injected tumor may accumulate in the subcutaneous space, increasing the risk of systemic adverse reactions, including death, from mast cell degranulation.   STELFONTA can treat tumors on the surface of the skin all over the body.

How does STELFONTA remove mast cell tumors?

MCT treated with STELFONTA - Day 0
Treatment Day
MCT treated with STELFONTA - Day 1
Day 1
MCT treated with STELFONTA - Day 4
Day 4
MCT treated with STELFONTA - Day 7
Day 7
MCT treated with STELFONTA - Day 28
Day 28

STELFONTA destroys mast cell tumors by disrupting the cell membrane and cutting off it’s blood supply.  It also stimulates the dog’s immunity to fight the cancer.  The tumor then detaches from the healthy tissue and falls away, leaving a temporary wound and healthy tissue where the tumor once was.

These wounds typically heal within 4 to 6 weeks without intervention. In some cases the wound is extensive and may take longer to fully heal. A wound is just one sign STELFONTA is working and the tumor is destroyed.

Can the tumor be graded? Because STELFONTA stimulates the immune system to destroy mast cell tumors, it is not possible to send the tumor off for histopathological grading in the same manner as surgically removed tumors. However, cytological grading can be undertaken via a fine needle aspirate prior to treatment if desired.1

1. Cytologic Criteria for MCT grading

Starts working fast* to help your dog get back to better days

Lucy
BREED  American Eskimo
AGE  12 yrs
TUMOR  5cm³ on her thigh

Measurements of mast cell tumor from first diagnosis
American Eskimo with mast cell tumor, treated with Stelfonta
Dog's mast cell tumor, 24hrs after Stelfonta treatment
Mast cell tumor, day 2 post Stelfonta treatment
Mast cell tumor, day 3 post Stelfonta treatment
Mast cell tumor, day 4 post Stelfonta treatment
Mast cell tumor, day 5 post Stelfonta treatment
Mast cell tumor, day 6 post Stelfonta treatment
Mast cell tumor, day 7 post Stelfonta treatment
Mast cell tumor, 8 days after Stelfonta treatment
Mast cell tumor, 9 days after Stelfonta treatment
Mast cell tumor, 14 days after Stelfonta treatment
Mast cell tumor, 28 days after Stelfonta treatment
Mast cell tumor, Day 43 after Stelfonta treatment
Dog's mast cell tumor, 4 months after Stelfonta treatment
Pre Treatment
Day 0 - Treatment
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 14
Day 28
Day 43
4 months
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Measurements of mast cell tumor from first diagnosis - thumbnail
Pre Treatment
American Eskimo with mast cell tumor, treated with Stelfonta - htumbnail
Day 0 - Treatment
Dog's mast cell tumor, 24hrs after Stelfonta treatment - thumbnail
Day 1
Mast cell tumor, day 2 post Stelfonta treatment - thumbnail
Day 2
Mast cell tumor, day 3 post Stelfonta treatment - thumbnail
Day 3
Day 4
Day 4
Day 5
Day 5
Day 6
Day 6
Day 7
Day 7
Day 8
Day 8
Day 9
Day 9
Day 14
Day 14
Day 28
Day 28
Day 43
Day 43
4 months
4 months
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*Within 2 hours, you’ll be able to see STELFONTA working as the tumor starts to swell and change colour. Within 4 hours the tumor starts to necrose.1,4,5 STELFONTA acts quickly to break down the tumor cell walls, activate the immune system and block blood vessels that feed the tumor.

With successful treatment, the tumor will essentially fall away and an empty pocket, or open wound, will remain where the tumor used to be. Don’t worry. This is normal, and healthy new skin will grow and close over.  Most wounds do not need to be covered and heal naturally. 

Within 14 days pet owners say their dogs are back to their pre diagnosis quality of life.

Brooklyn.
Click to view

Pet owner reviews his STELFONTA experience:  Paul’s dog Brooklyn had a tumor on her ear which he elected to treat with STELFONTA.  “I hate the cropped and docked look, so I was excited when I first learned about STELFONTA when researching options and relieved when Dr. Sue Cancer Vet said Brooklyn was a candidate”.  After a successful STELFONTA treatment, Paul reports Brooklyn is back to her healthy, happy, sassy self, and shares his tips for the journey:

  • Do your research
  • Ask questions and get the facts from your veterinarian or oncologist
  • Don’t let the pictures scare you off, the wound is created when the tumor falls away and heals on its own in most cases
  • Precisely follow instructions for medications
  • Be prepared for a bit of a mess, lay down some old sheets where they sleep
  • The first few days are the hardest, but be patient
  • Most of all, love and support your pet. They need you now more than ever
References
  1. US STELFONTA ® (tigilanol tiglate injection) packaging insert. 2020
  2. De Ridder TR, et al. J Vet Intern Med 2020 ;doi :10.1111/jvim.15806.
  3. Jones P et al. 2020. J Vet Internal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16018
  4. Melo SR et al. VCS abstract 2019.
  5. Campbell J et al. Wound Rep Reg 2014;22:A73-A100.
  6. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-intratumoral-injection-treat-non-metastatic-mast-cell-tumors-dogs