We are currently seeking patients for enrollment in funded oncology clinical trials. Study goals and suitability for each patient are discussed in detail with the clients prior to enrollment. Although clinical trial enrollment may not be the best option for all patients, in many cases, clinical trial participation provides the opportunity to receive novel, cutting-edge therapies free of charge or at a reduced cost and may facilitate treatment of pets where it would not otherwise be possible due to financial constraints or lack of other therapy options. Criteria for enrollment are outlined for each tumor type below. Please direct referrals or questions to the Oncology Clinical Trials Service at 573-882-7821.
Current Trials and Studies
The University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Center is enrolling patients into a clinical trial evaluating the safety of lymphodepleting chemotherapy and xenogeneic CAR-T cell therapy in dogs with spontaneous CD20+ Lymphoma
Criteria:
- Canine;15-50kg
- No previous treatments including chemotherapies (CHOP) or immunosuppressive and/or otherwise immunomodulatory agents (Prednisone or Apoquel)
- Chemistry panel: No evidence of renal or hepatic dysfunction, not hypercalcemic, adequate electrolytes, adequate bilirubin based on in-house evaluation
- CBC: Not neutropenic, not thrombocytopenic, normal hematocrit range, AND no lymphoblasts based on in-house evaluation
- Cytology: Lymphoma diagnosis based on in-house protocols (not immunophenotyped, just basic yes/no lymphoma)
- Ultrasound and radiographs limited disease at discretion of attending veterinarian
- If meeting other criteria, but patchy spleen/liver = include
- Stages 1-4, substage A accepted
- Boxer dogs excluded
Benefit:
- Complete cost of all treatments and re-rechecks covered by study, include initial staging and potential adverse side effects requiring hospitalization ($4k coverage).
- Goal of identifying maximally tolerated dose as well as pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
- Contribute to development of an important cancer therapy.
- Pet owners will be compensated $2k for completion of the first 21 days of the trial.
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 pets to come to our clinic for at minimum 6 visits over 21 days. If the pet is doing well, the trial will continue for a maximum total of 14 visits over 6 months.
For more information on this study please contact: cvmclinicaltrials@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 further improve our understanding of the disease and explore treatment options to improve the outcome of canine hemangiosarcoma.
Criteria:
- Canine; weights 5kg-45kg
- Hemoperitoneum diagnosed via abdominocentesis
- Splenic mass present on abdominal ultrasound (AFAST by ER doctor or ultrasound with Radiologist/Internist)
- Has not received chemotherapy within 30 days of study entry
- Dogs must not have dilated cardiomyopathy or significant heart disease
- Dogs cannot have evidence ofconcurrent malignancy or metastasis
Benefit:
- $1,000 will go towards surgery if the patient meets the surgery criteria.
- This trial consists of two stages. The first stage includes surgery. If the patient is found to have a stage 2 splenic hemangiosarcoma based on surgery biopsies, they are eligible to participate in one of four treatments groups.
- Pet owners will be gifted $2,000 post stage 2 completion if further therapy is needed. Gift only applies to MU VHC Oncology services.
- 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. For both trial stages.
- Participation will require pets to come to the Columbia, MO VHC for treatment. Timeline varries on treatment group that is assigned.
For more information on this study please contact: cvmclinicaltrials@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 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 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 4th 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
Tissue, Blood and Fecal Samples Needed
- We are collecting blood and fecal samples from canine patients receiving doxorubicin or carboplatin chemotherapy to evaluate the fecal microbiome of these patients. Samples are collected prior to the initiation of chemotherapy and on Day 4, 7 and 21 post chemotherapy. The study is complete at the sample collection on Day 21. If all samples are collected at specified time points clients will receive a $250.00 stipend to be used for additional therapy at MU VHC.
- We are collecting blood samples from patients receiving treatment (chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, etc.) for cancer. A small blood sample is taken prior to the initiation of therapy and at one, three, six, nine and twelve months. The owner will receive a small stipend at each visit for study participation. The study is complete at one year or if patient fails therapy. Additionally, we are collecting blood and tissue samples from patients undergoing surgery for cancer treatment. A small blood sample will be taken prior to surgery and at the time of suture removal (10-14 days). The study is complete at the suture removal sample collection. The owner will receive a small stipend for study participation.
