For additional information please call the Oncology Service at (608) 890-0422 or email at oncclinicaltrials@vetmed.wisc.edu
Visbiome Vs Metronidazole for diarrhea in dogs with lymphoma on CHOP
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.
Both newly diagnosed and those with recurrent/relapsed disease are eligible to participate.
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.
Dogs with LymphomA
Lymphoma Flyer
We are evaluating the effectiveness and safety of verdinexor for the treatment of Lymphoma in dogs. The study will evaluate verdinexor compared to a placebo (a tablet that does not contain verdinexor). Dogs will have a 1 in 5 chance of receiving the placebo. Your participation in the study will be for 56 days, during which time you will need to bring your dog to UW Veterinary Care for scheduled or unscheduled follow-up visits.
- Owner Requirements: Your dog’s living environment and feeding habits during the duration of the study are up to you – at your discretion, except that you must give the investigational treatment with food or just after feeding your dog a meal or a “snack”.
- Study Visits: You will need to bring your dog in to UW Veterinary Care for the Day 0, 7 (± 2), 14 (± 2), 28 (± 3), 42 (± 3) and 56 (± 3) visits. Depending on how your dog is feeling, you may also be required to bring him/her for unscheduled visits. You will receive a phone call on Day 4 to determine if your dog should be re-evaluated before the scheduled Day 7 visit.
- Dosing: You will dose your dog at home orally twice per week with at least 72 hours between doses, at approximately the same time each day and record this information
- Monitoring: You should monitor your dog for any abnormal health observation during the study and record this information. You must contact the veterinarian as soon as possible should you have any concern.
- Costs: If you elect to enroll your dog in the study, the study will provide the investigational treatment to be used during the study and pay for the study-related cost of the examinations and tests. If your dog has any adverse events that are study related and require treatment, the study will cover the costs of reasonable treatment.
Lymphoma in Boxer Dogs:
Environmental Chemicals and Lymphoma in Boxer Dogs
Flyer
Lymphoma is a fatal cancer of the blood cells in dogs. The boxer breed is at higher risk, but the reasons for this are not understood. Lymphoma in people is associated with toxic chemicals in the environment. We are looking to see if the same is true for dogs. The goal of this study is to see whether certain environmental chemicals contribute to lymphoma risk in dogs, starting with the boxer breed.
Any purebred boxer dog diagnosed with lymphoma by a veterinarian performing cytology or biopsy may be eligible for this study. Dogs must be enrolled before any chemotherapy is started, but prednisone is allowed. We are also seeking healthy unaffected boxers to act as controls. The owner will collect a voided 25 mL urine sample (about 2 tablespoons) from the dog using a kit that will be mailed to the dog’s home. We also ask the owner to fill out a questionnaire about their dog’s household environment and to collect drinking water and air samples from the home using materials that we provide.
To learn more about this study, please contact Hannah Peterson or Dr. Lauren Trepanier, both at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine.
Lymphoma in Dogs:
Laverdia CCNU Consent Form
Evaluation of Laverdia (new drug) in combination with CCNU
This study is to evaluate the use of a novel drug (Laverdia) in combination with CCNU (lomustine) in dogs with multicentric large cell lymphoma that have failed previous chemotherapy treatments. Dogs must weigh over 10 kg.
Owners will need to pay for costs associated with diagnosis and confirming eligibility.
The study will pay for all treatments and costs of recheck appointments and blood work at weeks 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15.
For more information or to enroll in the study, please contact Dr. Rachel McMahon or Dr. MacKenzie Pellin.
Melanoma Without Metastasis:
Evaluation of a Novel Immunotherapy in Combination with Radiation Therapy in Dogs
ATTENTION! We have recently completed enrollment into phase 1 and phase 2 of this trial. Phase 3 of this trial has not started yet. Please follow this page for updates as to when enrollment will begin.
In a study funded by the Veterans Administration we will evaluate the effect of a novel immunotherapy agent administered into the tumor in combination with radiation therapy.
Dogs with melanoma that have a tumor accessible for intratumor injection may be eligible for this study. There will be 2 treatment groups: one group will receive one dose of radiation and one group will receive 3 doses of radiation, both groups will then receive daily injections for 3 days of the immunotherapy agent into the the tumor. Following treatment, dogs will return to UWVC for evaluation on days 10, 17, 24, 30, and 60.
Once a dog is deemed eligible for the study, all costs related to the study will be covered including the radiation therapy and immunotherapy.