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UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine Clinical TrialsWe are currently enrolling patients in clinical trials in the Oncology, Internal Medicine, and Orthopedic Surgery Services. Oncology Clinical TrialsFor additional information regarding any of these oncology studies, please contact DOGS WITH OSTEOSARCOMA WITH OR WITHOUT METASTASIS Dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma that have not received previous treatment may be eligible for this study. Osteosarcoma is characterized by aggressive, painful bone destruction and a high rate of metastasis. Many older, large-breed dogs may not be candidates for “definitive” treatments, such as amputation, due to co-existing nervous-system or bone diseases, presence of metastasis, owner reluctance, or financial constraints. New forms of treatment to control pain in these dogs are desperately needed. Bisphosphonates are a class of bone-targeting drugs capable of inhibiting bone loss and reducing pain associated with bone lesions in patients with cancer. They have also been found to have direct and indirect antitumor activity against osteosarcoma cells. A novel conjugate of a bisphosphonate and chemotherapy drug that can deliver the chemotherapy drug directly to the site of bone disease has recently been developed. The purpose of this clinical trial is to evaluate the ability of this bisphosphonate-chemotherapy conjugate to lessen pain and decrease bone loss in dogs with osteosarcoma. Owners are responsible for the cost of the initial staging (approximately $400-600), and then all costs associated with the performance of the study are supported. In addition, the study will contribute a $700 credit to the owner’s Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital account for additional therapy, if the investigational drug is not effective in treatment. DOGS UNDERGOING LIMB AMPUTATION Opioids are one of the best pain relief options available, but because they are a controlled substance, they must be administered in a hospital setting. In dogs and other veterinary species, oral extended-release opioids do not work because they are metabolized quickly in the liver after ingestion and never reach effective blood levels. A new extended-release injectable opioid product is being evaluated in dogs that have undergone limb amputation for treatment of osteosarcoma. Dogs will be randomized to receive the new formulation or standard-of-care pain management. Clients who consent to enroll their dog in the study will receive a $500 discount from their final VMTH bill. DOGS WITH PRIMARY LUNG TUMORS Dogs with measurable, probable primary lung tumors may be eligible to participate. A novel cancer drug, GS-424044, has been evaluated in normal laboratory dogs and dogs with cancer prior to starting this clinical trial. This drug ultimately delivers the same active molecule as GS-9219, a molecule previously investigated in normal and pet dogs with lymphoma and shown to be effective. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the effectiveness of GS-424044 for the treatment of canine lung cancer. Owners are responsible for the cost of the initial staging (approximately $400-600), and then all costs associated with the performance of the study are supported. In addition, the cost of alternative treatment will be partially defrayed through a Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital credit. If surgery is possible, a $3,000 credit will be applied to defray these costs. If surgery is not possible, a $1,500 credit will be applied toward the costs of alternate treatments. If chosen, once a dog is deemed eligible for this trial, a portion of the VMTH credit can be used to offset the initial diagnosis and staging fee. This can only be applied after a dog has been deemed eligible and the owner has chosen to enter their dog into this trial. The study will also cover the cost of treating significant side effects, if they occur, up to $3000. DOGS WITH MALIGNANT MELANOMA There are many forms of cancer where standard forms of treatment (surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy) are not useful, or stop working after they have been used. 2 novel forms of immunotherapy, NHS-IL12 and NHS-IL2-IL12, are designed to deliver powerful immune-stimulating hormones specifically to tumor tissue. These treatments have shown promise in many mouse models of cancer and in some dogs with melanoma, when delivered directly into tumor tissue. The goals of the current study are to determine the best dose of NHS-IL12 and NHS-IL2-IL12 to give subcutaneously to dogs with melanoma, and then to determine the anti-tumor effects of these treatments. Dogs with biopsy-accessible malignant melanoma may be eligible to participate. Owners are responsible for the cost of the initial staging (approximately $400-600), and then all costs associated with the performance of the study are supported. In addition, the study will also cover the cost of treating significant side effects, if they occur, up to $2000. DOGS WITH STAGE II SPLENIC HEMANGIOSARCOMA This study is open to dogs with stage II hemangiosarcoma (HSA). Treatment must begin within 14 days after splenectomy. Splenic HSA is a highly metastatic cancer and despite surgical excision (splenectomy), most dogs die within 2 months of diagnosis because of metastasis to the lungs and other organs. The addition of chemotherapy, typically doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide combinations (with or without vincristine), has resulted in median survival times for dogs with splenic HSA of only 145-180 days. CCNU is an orally administered chemotherapy drug that has activity against a range of cancers including histiocytic sarcoma, mast cell tumor and lymphosarcoma. This drug has not been studied against hemangiosarcoma. Because of the ease of administration and its activity against a wide range of cancers, the purpose of this study is to compare the activity of CCNU to that of doxorubicin against splenic hemangiosarcoma. Dogs will be randomized to receive either CCNU or doxorubicin. Owners will be responsible for initial staging, surgery, recheck visits, recheck bloodwork, and hospitalization for adverse events. The study will pay for the pre-enrollment limited echocardiogram and EKG, the chemotherapy drugs (and administration of the drugs), and follow-up x-rays, abdominal ultrasounds, echocardiograms, and EKGs. DOGS WITH CARCINOMA OR SARCOMA, WITH OR WITHOUT GROSS OR METASTATIC DISEASE Palladiaä as a single agent has shown efficacy against mast cell tumors. Anecdotal information has shown efficacy of Palladiaä against a variety of tumors, especially carcinomas. Piroxicam as a single agent has shown efficacy against solid tumors. In addition, many oncology patients are elderly with NSAID-responsive osteoarthritis for which they are already receiving piroxicam or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory treatment. The purpose of this study is to determine best tolerated dose and efficacy of combination therapy with piroxicam and Palladiaä in dogs with carcinoma or sarcoma. The study will contribute a $150 credit to the owner’s Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital account. The owner is responsible for all other costs. OFFSET THE COST OF BIOPSY FOR DOGS WITH LYMPHOMA, OSTEOSARCOMA, ORAL MELANOMA, SARCOMA, MAST CELL TUMOR, PRIMARY LUNG TUMOR, OR HEMANGIOSARCOMA We have recently been named one of three centers nationally to become a cancer tissue procurement center for the newly formed Canine Comparative Oncology and Genomics Consortium (CCOGC), a group of veterinary and medical researchers who have determined that a well-described repository of canine tumor tissues is an essential resource to progress new cancer therapies. This new resource to fight cancer has been named the Pfizer Inc. CCOGC Biospecimen Repository. The cost of surgical biopsy collection, a necessary diagnostic step in the majority of patient work-ups, is completely covered in most cases (unless involving open cavity collection). CATS WITH PRIMARY OR RECURRENT VACCINE-ASSOCIATED SARCOMA Cats with any histologically confirmed, vaccine-associated sarcoma (VAS) of any histologic subtype, with measurable tumor, may be eligible for this study. VAS are extremely locally invasive and recurrences are common despite aggressive local treatment. In addition, these treatments are prohibitively expensive for many owners. Chemotherapy may represent another viable treatment option but has not been evaluated extensively for VAS. Anecdotally, oncologists have noted measurable responses of feline VAS to Lomustine (a relatively inexpensive chemotherapy drug); however, to date, no clinical trials have been reported in the veterinary literature. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of lomustine in cats with VAS. Owners are responsible for the cost of the initial staging (approximately $400-600), and then all costs associated with the performance of the study are supported. CATS WITH ANY TUMOR May be eligible for a funded clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of docetaxel (Taxotere). Owners are responsible for the cost of the initial staging (approximately $400-600). The study will pay for all costs related to docetaxel treatment and follow-up evaluations for the first 5 treatments (excluding examination charges). For additional information regarding any of these oncology studies, please contact Small Animal Internal Medicine Clinical TrialsHas your dog recently been diagnosed with Blastomyces (Blasto) infection? The University of Wisconsin-Madison has a new research study, in collaboration with MiraVista Diagnostics, to monitor Blastomyces antigen levels in the urine and serum of dogs with Blastomyces infection. Our goal is to determine whether Blastomyces antigen tests can be used reliably to predict remission of infection (when antifungal drugs can be stopped) or early recurrence of infection. For the study, we will monitor Blastomyces antigen in the urine and blood, at no charge, once per month throughout treatment. All dogs will be treated with fluconazole, which is much cheaper than itraconazole. During treatment, routine x-rays and exams, as well as fluconazole, will still be paid for by the dog’s owner. After treatment is stopped (based on clinical remission), we will recheck dogs at no charge every 3 months for a year to monitor for recurrence, using physical and ocular exams, appropriate x-rays, and Blastomyces antigen tests. This follow-up monitoring is all paid for by the study, but must be performed at UW-Madison. In order to be eligible for the study, dogs must have a cytologic or histopathologic diagnosis of Blastomyces infection, plus baseline CBC, chemistry, urinalysis or dipstick, chest radiographs, and ophthalmic examination. Treatment with antifungal medication for up to 2 weeks prior to enrollment in the study is allowed. We can also enroll dogs that are already being treated, but they will be entered only for the post-treatment monitoring phase. If you think your pet or your patient may be eligible for the study, please contact Dr. Daniel Foy at 608-263-7600 or dfoy@svm.vetmed.wisc.edu, or Dr. Lauren Trepanier at 608-265-9022 or latrepanier@svm.vetmed.wisc.edu. Orthopedic Surgery Clinical TrialsDogs with Knee Arthritis and Cruciate Ligament Rupture The University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine is conducting a study on cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs. In an attempt to determine the underlying cause of progressive degeneration of the ligament, we are seeking dogs that have ruptured the ligament in one knee and show early evidence of inflammation in their opposite knee. Dogs that qualify for the study will have both knees evaluated by the an orthopedic surgeon at the University of Wisconsin’s Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. During surgical stabilization of the ruptured cruciate, tissues collected from both knees will be analyzed for inflammation. Dogs will be placed on disease-modifying medical therapy and a follow-up evaluation will be performed after surgery. Owners participating in the trial will receive a financial benefit. The study is supported by grants from the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation and the University of Wisconsin. Rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament is the most common source of lameness in dogs, causing pain, inflammation and loss of function. Approximately 50% of dogs will rupture the cranial cruciate ligament in their opposite stifle joint within 12 months of initial injury. Despite the significance of this condition in dogs, the underlying mechanism causing progressive degeneration of the ligament is unclear. For additional information, and to see if your dog qualifies for the study, please call Gerianne Holzman, the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital’s Orthopedic Surgery coordinator, at 608-262-6512. She can arrange a consultation appointment with the Orthopedic Surgery Service. For general information on our active clinical trials, you may also contact the VMTH Referral Coordinator at 608-262-7676 or 800-DVM-VMTH. Last updated 11/20/09
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