A melanoma cure for dogs

Tonight we report on an amazing movement of research -- not from animals to humans but the other way around. 

Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City had been working on a vaccine to lessen the chances of melanoma recurring after surgical removal. Down the street at the Animal Medical Center, veterinarians heard of the studies and asked if they could try it in dogs. It turns out dogs naturally get melanoma and it can be fatal to them just as it can be for humans. In many of the dogs the vaccine actually cured the cancer, and the vaccine is about to be licensed. But for now, all this work remains experimental.

We'll tell you all about it on tonight's broadcast.

In the meantime, you can find more information on the dog studies at the Animal Medical Center Web site. You can make an appointment at the Animal Medical Center by calling (212) 838-7053. For information on the human trials led by Dr. Jed Wolchok at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York, call 1-800-525-2225 or visit their Web site.