A new gold-based drug called aurothiomalate, or more commonly as gold salts, may not only prove effective in treating osteosarcoma in humans, but also pets. Osteosarcoma is a devastating form of bone cancer that can affect both people and dogs.

The study that showed these promising results was done by University of Florida veterinary researchers. The researchers examined an aggressive bone cell line in dogs and humans and found that gold salts helped keep these cells from forming in a laboratory setting.

The lead author of the study was Valery Scharf, D.V.M, a small animal surgery resident at the university. She said, “We also were able to demonstrate that the drug slows tumor growth and decreases metastasis when canine bone tumors were created in a mouse model.” She added, “This study shows that there is potential promise for the role of gold drugs as a part of bone cancer treatment in dogs and potentially in people, although more studies are needed before we can use them in a clinical setting.”

Osteosarcoma accounts for around 80 percent of cancerous tumors in canine skeletons. The condition is found more often in middle-aged or older large-breed dogs. It occurs in the front leg, but can occur in other bones as well. The typical course of action for veterinarians is to amputate the affected limb and remove the primary tumor. Other options include chemotherapy, in case the cancer has spread. Osteosarcoma is rare in people, typically affecting people younger than 25 years of age.

Scharf noted, “Osteosarcoma is a frustrating disease, as you can treat the local tumor, but the metastasis is something there is no effective means of preventing.”