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STAT3 ‘Decoy’ Controls Disease in 35% of Cats With Oral Cancers in First Clinical Trial

Immune shifts point to biomarkers that could guide early human testing.

Jak benefited from a clinical trial of a first of its kind cancer treatment, living for 8 months after an oral cancer diagnosis.
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Scientists developed a promising new treatment for cats with oral cancer.
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Overview

  • Results published in Cancer Cell detail a phase I study of 20 pet cats with head and neck/oral squamous cell carcinoma led by UCSF and UC Davis investigators.
  • Six escalating intravenous doses over one month produced disease control in seven cats, including two partial tumor regressions, with responders living a median 161 days versus 57 days for non-responders.
  • The cyclic oligonucleotide is designed to mimic STAT3’s DNA target, binding the transcription factor and blocking its pro‑tumor gene activation.
  • Treatment-related toxicity was minimal, limited primarily to mild anemia that did not track with dose.
  • Tumor and blood analyses showed STAT3 inhibition with immune effects, including PD‑1 increases and distinct immune-cell signatures, and the team is working with a small biotech on further feline studies and an early-phase human trial.