Visbiome Vs Metronidazole for diarrhea in dogs with lymphoma on CHOP

Metro vs. Visbiome Consent

The UWVC Oncology service is evaluating the efficacy of a probiotic (Visbiome Vet®), compared to traditionally used metronidazole for the management of chemotherapy induced diarrhea in dogs with multicentric lymphoma receiving a 19-week CHOP chemotherapy protocol.

Dogs with a confirmed diagnosis of multicentric lymphoma whose owners present to the UWVC oncology service for consultation and elect to treat their dog with 19-week CHOP protocol will be given the option to participate in the clinical trial. Dogs will be randomized into either the Visbiome® Vet or metronidazole treatment groups.

Owners of patients in both groups will be instructed to keep a diary once enrolled in the trial to monitor stool frequency, consistency, and schedule. Diet and medications will also be recorded; owners will be instructed to keep their dog’s diet consistent. Owners will start the respective diarrhea management medication once stools reach a fecal score of >4 (Fecal Scoring System, Nestle Purina PetCare Company, St. Louis, MO), or increased frequency or urgency from baseline is noted. The Fecal Scoring System will be provided for owners, and they will also be encouraged to take photos of their dogs’ eliminations. Stool samples will be collected at baseline/enrollment, prior to each doxorubicin administration, and 1 month after completion of chemotherapy. These samples will be analyzed in future research with consultation with the Gastrointestinal lab at Texas A&M University.

Owners will be financially responsible all costs associated with diagnosis of multicentric lymphoma and treatment with CHOP chemotherapy with the exception of recheck examination fees for timepoints associated with fecal sample collection, which will be covered by the study as client incentive. The cost of metronidazole or Visbiome® Vet (depending upon their randomized group) will be paid for by the study.

For further information or to enroll a potential patient, please contact Ann Marie Picone (apicone2@wisc.edu), MacKenzie Pellin (mackenzie.pellin@wisc.edu), or the clinical trials interns: Tricia Hu (tghu@wisc.edu) and Christen Montesanto (cmontesanto@wisc.edu).

EARLI – Study to Evaluate the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Imaging Properties in Canines with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Cancer

• This study is for diagnostic purposes only.
• Dogs can have any type of cancer except non-metastatic cutaneous mast cell tumor, brain tumor, lymphoma and leukemia (single cell blood cancers).
• Dogs who enroll will receive $4000 (four thousand dollars) credit on their account to be used toward treatment at UW Veterinary Care. Updated 2/8/23.
• The Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan is one of the more sensitive imaging approaches as it uses a short-lived radionuclide (18F-FDG, which contains glucose) to detect the presence of tumors. Tumors have an increased metabolic rate resulting in an increased uptake of glucose compared to surrounding non-tumor tissues resulting in increased uptake by the tumor of 18F-FDG which is then detected by the PET scan tumor. However, the sensitivity of these PET scans is limited by the background uptake of 18F-FDG in non-tumor tissues and the inability to detect tumors with low-metabolic rates.
• Cohort 1: In collaboration with Earli Inc. (Earli), we are evaluating a new approach to the use of PET scans for early detection of cancer. In this study, rather than using18F-FDG, we will be using 18F-FHBG. The purpose of the trial is to determine the ability to detect cancer using this tracer.
• Cohort 2: In collaboration with Earli Inc. (Earli), we are evaluating a new approach to the use of PET scans for early detection of cancer.
  Earli has developed a novel imaging probe, EARLI-201, which is taken up by cells when administered intravenously. EARLI-201 is comprised of DNA that instructs cancer cells to produce a specific reporter agent that works in concert with a PET tracer compound similar to 18F-FDG, 18F-FHBG. EARLI-201 only induces production of this reporter agent in cancer cells; in non-cancer cells EARLI-201 remains inert and has no effect on the production of the reporter agent that interacts with 18F-FHBG. If cancer cells are present, the interaction between the reporter agent and the imaging agent will allow detection by the PET scan, allowing for greatly enhanced specificity and identification of the presence of tumors.
• For further information or to enroll a potential patient, please contact our clinical trials interns Tricia Hu (tghu@wisc.edu) and Christen Montesanto (cmontesanto@wisc.edu). Or please email oncclinicaltrials@wisc.edu.

Evaluation of a Targeted Radiation Treatment Combined with an Immunotherapy Treatment for Dogs with Metastatic Cancer with an accessible tumor

(Except Mast Cell Tumor & Hemangiosarcoma)

In collaboration with the UW Carbone Cancer Center and the National Cancer Institute, we are developing a new approach to the treatment of cancers that have spread beyond the original cancer site. These investigational treatments are designed to stimulate the patient’s immune system to recognize and destroy the cancer wherever it may be in the body. This new immunotherapy combines standard radiation therapy with a low-dose whole-body injectable radiation therapy that targets the metastatic cancer sites and an immune stimulant injected directly into the original tumor. Laboratory evidence suggests this strategy improves the anti-cancer potency of the immunotherapy.

Dogs will first receive advanced imaging (standard PET/CT imaging). The findings of these scans will determine the dose which will be delivered intravenously one week later along with standard radiation therapy to the primary cancer.

One week after radiation therapy, the dog will receive an immunotherapy agent administered directly into the dog’s tumor, once daily for 3 days. Because the imaging agent and the intravenous radiation agent are radioactive, dogs must remain in the hospital until the level of radioactivity has dropped to a safe level to allow the dog to return home; this will be approximately 4 – 6 days following administration of the imaging agent or the intravenous radiation treatment.

All costs associated with initial screening to determine eligibility and costs associated with treatment, scans, hospitalizations, and study follow-up are paid for by the study. In addition, a $3000 credit will be applied to your UW Veterinary Care account as a rescue therapy reimbursement that can be used towards alternative therapy here at UW Veterinary Care should the cancer progress after immunotherapy.

Dogs with Histologically confirmed, high-grade lymphoma or non-sarcomatous solid tumors

This is a trial led by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to assesses the safety and effectiveness of TdCyd and Aza-TdC, novel anticancer agents in dogs with cancer. This study will complement currently open human trials designed to test new doses and effects of these agents.

Prior to entry into this study, your dog must have a confirmed diagnosis of cancer and staging tests to ensure his/her general health and to evaluate how advanced the disease is prior to treatment. Costs to owner before confirming eligibility: $750-1000, depending on type of cancer and tests already done. These are routine staging costs and will be used to determine eligibility for the study.

Within this study, we will obtain serial biopsies of your dog’s tumor. A biopsy will be collected prior to the first dose of drug (pre-treatment), on Day 8, Day 12 and possibly on Day 22 depending on how your dog has responded to therapy. Each of these biopsy sessions will occur under sedation or general anesthesia. Your dog will return to the UW on Days 8, 12, 15 and 22. Serial blood collections (5 time points) will occur on Day 1 of the study. Subsequent, single collections will occur on Days 8, 12, 15 and 22. You will be required to administer study medication at home on Days 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, and 11.  If any complications arise from study drug administration, their management will be covered by study funds.