Current Clinical Trials

The University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Center is enrolling patients into a clinical trial evaluating the safety and effectiveness TdCyd and Aza-TdC, novel anticancer agents, when given to dogs with cancer. 

Criteria: 

• Body weight of ≥15kg  
• Histologically confirmed lymphoma or solid tumor (lymphoma may be confirmed by pre-treatment biopsy or cytology) 
• Solid tumors: Solid, non-sarcomatous tumor, readily accessible for biopsy, with size of ≥3cm in the longest dimension, AND a draining lymph node accessible for AND amenable to repeated aspiration (with or without image guidance) 
• Lymphoma: Nodal presentation (stage 2 or greater) with at least 3 lymph nodes of ≥3cm in the longest dimension for biopsy 
• No concurrent chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Dogs must be off all such therapy for 2 weeks prior to study enrollment (exception L-asparaginase). 
• No corticosteroids or L-asparaginase for 7 days prior to study initiation (exclusive TdCyd and Aza-TdC administration required). 
• No hypercalcemia causing illness 
• Significant co-morbid illness, which includes, but is not limited to, renal or hepatic failure, history of congestive heart failure or clinical coagulopathy 

Benefit: 

• Complete cost of all treatments and re-rechecks covered by study, include initial staging or adverse side effects. 
• This trial is being conducted concurrently with human trials. 
• Goal of identifying maximally tolerated dose as well as pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. 
• Contribute to development of an important cancer therapy. 

To Participate: 

• Pet owners must be willing to transport their dog to and from the treatment center in Columbia, MO for every visit abiding by specific timelines. 
• A full screening will be performed prior to full study enrollment. 
• Participation will require a total of up to 10 visits over 2 months. 

For more information on this study please contact: muoncology@missouri.edu with the subject pertaining to the trial of interest. 

The University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Center is enrolling patients into a clinical trial to evaluate regional lymph node metastasis in canine thyroid carcinoma.

Criteria:

• Confirmed diagnosis of thyroid tumor
• Imaging of neck with ultrasound or CT before surgery
• No previous chemotherapy or radiation treatment for the affected tissue
• No previous thyroid surgery

Benefit:

• Cost of histopathology is covered.
• The primary goal of this study is to determine if  special stains improve detection of cancer within lymph nodescompared to standard staining. We will also evaluate the impact of cancer within lymph nodes on survival in affected dogs and the accuracy of CT for detection of lymph node involvement. 

To Participate:

• Initial staging cost are owner’s financial responsibility as well as adverse side effects.
• Pet owner must be willing to transport their dog to and from the treatment center in Columbia, MO.
• Participation will require a total of up to 2 visits.

For more information on this study please contact: muoncology@missouri.edu with the subject pertaining to the trial of interest.

The University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Center is enrolling patients into a clinical trial evaluating the safety and effectiveness for a treatment that is specifically intended to treat dogs with sarcoma.

Criteria:

• Histologic or cytologic confirmed soft tissue sarcoma.
• Adequate renal, hepatic and hematologic parameters.
• Does not have a current bacterial infection requiring systemic therapy and has not been treated for bacterial infection in the 7 days prior to study enrolment.
• No significant co-morbidities.
• No metastatic disease at time of diagnosis.
• No second malignancy that is not in remission.
• Has not received chemotherapy, radiation, or any immunotherapy within 3 weeks of study participation.

Benefit:

• Complete cost of all treatments and re-rechecks covered by study. Does not include initial staging or adverse side effects.
• This trial uses the body’s own immune system and patient specific malignant cells to combat disease.
• Induce an immune reaction against the tumor cells. It is possible that this immune reaction might improve outcome by reducing recurrence and spread of the tumor.
• Contribute to development of an important cancer therapy.

To Participate:

• Pet owners must be willing to transport their dog to and from the treatment center in Columbia, MO for every visit abiding by specific timelines.
• A full screening will be performed prior to enrollment.
• Participation will require a total of up to 17-visits over 1 year.

For more information on this study please contact: muoncology@missouri.edu with the subject pertaining to the trial of interest.

The University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center is enrolling patients into a clinical trial to assess the safety and effects of Lattice SBRT in the treatment of dogs with very large tumors. This study also seeks to better understand the underlying changes to the tumor itself, as well as the immune system.

Criteria:

• Tumor ≥ 4 cm in longest dimension.
• Histologic or cytologic diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma.
• CBC, chemistry panel, UA, thoracic radiographs
• Adequate renal, hepatic and hematologic parameters.
• Prior chemotherapy allowable with a three-week washout.
• No significant comorbidities.
• Patient weight > 5 kg
• Prior CT scan with RT setup.

Benefit:

• Complete cost of palliative radiation therapy (randomized between 5 x 4 Gy in one week, or Lattice SBRT delivered M-W-F for five fractions).
• Complete cost of recheck exams at two weeks, four weeks, and every three months posttreatment for one year.
• Initial staging costs are owner’s financial responsibility.

To Participate:

• Pet owner must be willing to transport their dog to and from the treatment center in Columbia, Missouri.
• A full screening will be performed prior to enrollment.

For more information on this study, please contact: muoncology@missouri.edu with the subject pertaining to the trial of interest.

The University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center is enrolling patients into a clinical trial to assess the safety and effects of novel anti-cancer therapy in dogs with measurable cutaneous cancer.

Criteria:

• No cutaneous hemangiosarcoma or ulcerated lesions.
• Histologic or cytologic diagnosis of neoplasia-distant and local metastasis allowed.
• Tumor is at least 2 cm and no larger than 5 cm in its longest dimension
• CBC, chemistry panel, UA, thoracic radiographs
• Adequate renal, hepatic and hematologic parameters.
• Prior chemotherapy allowable with a three-week washout and no radiation therapy prior to start of study.
• Expected survival > four weeks
• No significant comorbidities.
• Patient weight > 5 kg
• Recurrent masses allowed.

Benefit:

• Complete cost of palliative calcium electroporation therapy.
• The primary goal of this study is to determine if calcium electroporation is well-tolerated in dogs and determine if naturally occurring tumors can be treated effectively without chemotherapy.
• Initial staging costs are owner’s financial responsibility as well as adverse side effects.

To Participate:

• Pet owner must be willing to transport their dog to and from the treatment center in Columbia, Missouri.
• A full screening will be performed prior to enrollment.
• Participation will require a total of up to four visits over one month.

For more information on this study, please contact: muoncology@missouri.edu with the subject pertaining to the trial of interest.

The Veterinary Health Center is participating in an oral malignant melanoma clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the ELIAS vaccine-enhanced adoptive cell therapy treatment combined with surgery and radiotherapy, if indicated, for dogs diagnosed with oral malignant melanoma. Dogs treated in the study will receive an adoptive T cell therapy (a form of immunotherapy) instead of chemotherapy. ELIAS Animal Health has developed a unique immunotherapy treatment protocol which may permit the dog’s immune system to attack its own cancer cells. This clinical trial will enroll dogs that have been newly diagnosed with oral malignant melanoma but have not yet been treated for their cancer.

Trial Summary:

• Treatment includes ELIAS cancer immunotherapy, an adoptive cell therapy
• Patients must complete a 7-11 week treatment regimen and return for quarterly follow-up visits throughout the 18-month trial
• Study sponsor will cover treatment costs (including consult with oncologist, radiographs, lab work, ECI immunotherapy, and their administration)

To learn more about this therapy, and to see if your dog may be a good candidate please schedule a visit with the Veterinary Health Center.

The University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Center is enrolling patients into a clinical trial investigating the use of a novel radioembolization procedure in dogs. All dogs will receive radioembolization and a subset will be evaluated for subsequent resection.

Criteria:

• Be at least 1 year old and weigh at least 12kg (26.4lb)
• Be diagnosed with pathology confirmed hepatocellular cancer
• Have at least one tumor greater than 3cm diameter but no more than a total of 3 tumors
• Have a life expectancy of at least 3 months without treatment
• Have received no prior anti-cancer therapy for this liver tumor
• Have no other diseases or behavioral conditions that would interfere with study

Benefit:

• Radioembolization and surgical resection (if eligible)
• Follow-up physical exams and CT imaging at 3- and 6- months
• Contribute to development of an important cancer therapy

To Participate:

• Pet owner must be willing to transport their dog to and from the treatment center in Columbia, MO
• A full screening will be performed prior to enrollment
• Suitable patients will receive one radioembolization treatment
• Participation will require a total of up to 5-visits over 6-months

For more information on this study please contact: abkbiomedical.com/liver-cancer-in-dogs/

Non-therapeutic Feline Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Survey Study

Feline Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (FOSCC) is the 4^th most common tumor in cats and the most common oral cancer in cats. FOSCC can appear as a mass or an area of severe ulceration in the mouth, leading to pain and difficulties eating.  There is still no effective treatment for this disease. The University of Missouri Veterinary Oncology Service is conducting a research project and is looking for owners of cats diagnosed with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma within the past 10 years (January 2010-August 2020) to participate in a ~10-minute online survey regarding their cat’s medical history, and environment, (including diet, litter, etc.).

Criteria:

• Felines diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma.
• Owner willing to participate in an approximately ten minute online survey
• Survey participants must consent to allow access to cat’s medical records to confirm the diagnosis.

Benefit:

• Information gathered from this survey study will be crucial in determining potential risk factors related to the development of FOSCC, as well as possible preventative measures for cat owners in the future.

To Participate:

• If you are interested in participating, please contact FOSCCsurvey@missouri.edu to receive the weblink to our survey.

 Contact Faculty Person: Dr. Shirley Chu