Equine Cancer Treatment with IsoPet®
IsoPet® PRnT™ is a nonsurgical, same-day cancer treatment that is safe and effective.
IsoPet® Precision Radionuclide Therapy (PRnT)™
Minimally invasive treatment with rapid recovery and long-term comfort for your horse
Horses are prone to several types of solid tumors, with equine sarcoids, squamous cell carcinomas, and melanomas representing the vast majority of cases. These tumors often develop around the eyes, ears, sheath, or perineum — areas that are difficult to operate on and prone to recurrence after surgery. Traditional therapies, including surgical excision, cryotherapy, or topical chemotherapy, can be unpredictable and may lead to scarring, regrowth, or extended recovery periods that impact a horse’s performance and comfort.
IsoPet® brings precision oncology to equine medicine. By injecting a specialized radiotherapeutic gel directly into the tumor, IsoPet® allows for high-dose radiation delivery precisely where it’s needed most. The treatment selectively destroys cancer cells while preserving healthy skin and connective tissue — an especially important advantage for large animals where wound healing can be slow or complicated.
For veterinarians, IsoPet® offers a minimally invasive and customizable treatment solution that can address tumors previously considered untreatable or high-risk for recurrence. For horse owners, it offers peace of mind — a scientifically validated, low-stress option that supports faster recovery and improved long-term outcomes. Whether for working horses, show horses, or beloved companions, IsoPet® helps restore comfort, confidence, and quality of life.
How IsoPet® Works
Parallel Needle Injections
IsoPet® is continuously injected into the tumor in a grid pattern to ensure that the treatment is spread equally throughout the tumor — minimizing the dose to adjacent healthy tissues.
A Safer Cancer Treatment for Small and Large Animals
Extending the lives of animals through our certified IsoPet® regional veterinarian clinics across the USA.
Safe & Effective
IsoPet® delivers more than 90% of its therapeutic radiation within 10 days of a single treatment. Other therapies may require six weeks or more to deliver the full course.
Same-Day Procedure
IsoPet® therapy is performed as an out-patient procedure and your pet may return home without subsequent concern for radiation exposure to your pet or family.
Minimal Side Effects
IsoPet® therapy is administered directly into the tumor without harm to the surrounding tissues or organs. Your pet should not feel any harmful side effects of treatment.
The Difference Between Targeted and External Beam Radiation
External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)
External Beam Radiation delivers radiation from outside the body using high-energy beams, such as X-rays or protons, to target and destroy cancer cells. It involves directing radiation from an external machine towards the tumor. Despite advancements of image guided radiation, some side effects related to tissue damage may still occur.
Benefits of EBRT
- Can treat large areas
- Can shrink a tumor before surgical removal
Limitations of EBRT
- Difficulty targeting only the tumor without affecting surrounding tissues
- Requires multiple sessions
- Challenging for equine cancer treatment due to the size and anatomy of horses
- Side effects such as skin irritation, fatigue, and damage to nearby organs
Targeted Radiation Therapy – IsoPet®’s PRnT™
IsoPet®’s patented Precision Radionuclide Therapy™ (PRnT), which provides a more precise treatment by injecting a radioactive isotope, Y-90, directly into the tumor without harm to surrounding tissues. This precision reduces the risk of side effects and damage to non-cancerous areas, enhancing overall treatment safety and effectiveness.
Benefits of Targeted Radiation such as PRnT™
- PRnT™ is an advanced treatment that delivers higher doses of radiation with pinpoint accuracy often in one session
- PRnT™ places radioactive material (Y-90) directly inside or near the tumor, effectively killing the tumor from the inside out with minimal, if any, side effects
Limitations of Targeted Radiation
- Can be less effective for treating large, diffuse tumors
- Unable to treat cancerous tumors that have metastasized (although IsoPet® can offer palliative care for your pet)
These five factors demonstrate that targeted radionuclide radiation therapy is safer and more effective when compared to external beam radiation therapy.
1. Precision and Localization
- Precision Radionuclide Therapy™ PRnT™: Uses the radioactive isotope Y-90 that specifically targets cancer cells, minimizing exposure to healthy tissue
- EBRT: Directs beams of radiation from outside the body, which can be challenging to avoid irradiating nearby healthy tissues completely
2. Reduced Side Effects
- Precision Radionuclide Therapy™ PRnT™: More localized radiation results in fewer side effects, which is crucial in sensitive areas
- EBRT:Can cause widespread side effects due to its impact on both the tumor and surrounding tissues
3. Effectiveness for Specific Cancers
- Precision Radionuclide Therapy™ PRnT™: Effective for cancers with specific markers or receptors
- EBRT: Used for a wider range of cancers but may be limited by the risk of damaging healthy tissue
4. Potential for Combination Therapy
- Precision Radionuclide Therapy™ PRnT™: Can be combined with other treatments, such as chemotherapy or surgery, to enhance effectiveness without significantly increasing toxicity
- EBRT: Also used in combination therapies, but the added radiation burden can limit the extent of additional treatments
5. Radiation Dose Control
- Precision Radionuclide Therapy™ PRnT™: Allows for controlled delivery of higher doses of radiation directly to the tumor, tailored to specific treatment needs
- EBRT: Dose modulation is possible but involves complex planning and advanced technology to ensure concentration on the tumor while sparing healthy tissue
In conclusion, targeted radiation therapy has four main advantages over external beam radiation. Targeted radiation therapy is a major advancement in veterinary oncology, offering precise, millimeter-level tumor targeting that spares healthy tissue, reduces side effects, and often delivers higher doses in a single session to minimize stress for pets and owners. Especially for equine cancer, it provides a far more practical and effective alternative to external beam radiation, which is limited by the horse’s size and anatomy—resulting in safer, more efficient treatment and improved quality of life.
Is Your Pet a Candidate?
Contact Us Today.
If you are a pet parent interested in learning more, or a veterinary specialst considering to offer Isopet®, complete the form below.
