Current Clinical Trials

The University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Center is enrolling patients into a clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of Gilvetmab, an anti-PD1 monoclonal antibody, as a treatment for canine pulmonary carcinoma. Similar treatments have been shown to improve survival in human lung cancer patients.

Criteria:

• Dogs with gross disease and those with microscopic disease
• No immune-mediated disease or other severe comorbidities
• No concurrent use of steroids or other immunosuppressive drugs

Study Involvement:

• Gilvetmab is given as a slow infusion every two weeks for up to 10 doses.
• CBC, chemistry, and urinalysis are performed every 4 weeks.
• Chest x-rays are performed every 8 weeks.

Benefit:

• The study covers the cost of Gilvetmab treatment (ranges from $540 – $1350 per treatment, depending on patient size).
• Owner is responsive for recheck exams, bloodwork, and x-rays.

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 biweekly visits.

For more information on this study please contact: cvmclinicaltrials@missouri.edu with the subject pertaining to the trial of interest. Or, fill out a short survey here.

The University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Center is enrolling patients into a clinical trial evaluating the safety and effectiveness of a new immunotherapy, the Vaccine Peptide Library (VPL), when given to dogs with cancer. Studies in dogs with cancer will complement current human trials designed to test new doses and effects of this agent.

Criteria:

• Body weight between 15 and 60 kg
• Tumor biopsy or cytology to confirm diagnosis
• Solid tumor measuring 2 to 8 cm
• No mast cell tumors, cutaneous hemangiosarcomas, thyroid carcinomas, or lymphomas
• Must not have received ANY prior experimental therapy
• No concurrent chemotherapy or radiation therapy – 2 week washout period required
• No concurrent immunomodulatory therapy (including Apoquel or Cytopoint) – 6 week washout period required
• No concurrent corticosteroids – 1 week washout period required
• No hypercalcemia causing illness
• No significant co-morbid illness, which includes, but is not limited to: pulmonary metastatic disease, renal or hepatic failure, history of congestive heart failure or clinical coagulopathy, autoimmune disorders, or uncontrolled endocrinopathies

Benefit:

• Complete cost of all treatments and rechecks covered by study, include initial staging or adverse side effects.
• This trial is being conducted concurrently with human trials.
• Contribute to development of an important cancer therapy.
• At the conclusion of the study, there will be a $1000 monetary gift provided towards additional treatment for your pet’s cancer.

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 13 weekly visits.

For more information on this study please contact: cvmclinicaltrials@missouri.edu with the subject pertaining to the trial of interest. Or, fill out a short survey here.

The University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Center is enrolling cats with mammary carcinoma into a clinical trial to evaluate the radioactive imaging agent, Cu64-chloride, in determining tumor presence and extent of disease. Cats will receive an injection of Cu54-chloride and then undergo a PET/CT scan under general anesthesia. Enrollees will need to stay in radiation isolation for 24 hours following injection.

Criteria:

• Cats weighing at least 3.8 kg
• Presence of non-ulcerated mammary mass measuring at least 1 cm
• Histologic or cytologic diagnosis of mammary carcinoma
• Naive disease or incompletely excised tumor (previous surgery such as lumpectomy or unilateral chain mastectomy acceptable)
• Good surgical candidate (decided by surgical oncologist)
• Patient able to stay in radiation isolation without constant monitoring
• No known metastatic disease
• No significant comorbidities
• No previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy
• No need for daily drug administration

Benefit:

• This study is fully funded!
• Free baseline labwork (CBC, chemistry, and urinalysis) and PET/CT scan
• Any screening diagnostics to determine eligibility is the responsibility of the owner

For more information on this study please contact: cvmclinicaltrials@missouri.edu with the subject pertaining to the trial of interest or fill out a short survey here.

The University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Center is working with Ethos-PUSH to enroll patients in a two-part clinical trial. In part one, patients with a bleeding splenic tumor will undergo emergency surgery to remove their spleen. After surgery, if the tumor is confirmed to be hemangiosarcoma, the dog may be enrolled in the second part of the study, which will be evaluating the safety and effectiveness of chemotherapy in dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma.

Criteria:

• Dogs weighing between 5 and 45 kg
• Hemoperitoneum (blood in the abdomen) diagnosed via abdominocentesis
• Splenic mass present on abdominal imaging
• No documented metastasis
• No chemotherapy within 30 days of study entry
• No concurrent cancers
• No significant heart disease (ex. dilated cardiomyopathy)

Benefit:

• In part one, a $1000 gift is provided towards emergency surgery.
• In part two, costs of chemotherapy and recheck exams/bloodwork are completely funded.
• This knowledge will be used to bring about curative outcomes for dogs suffering from this aggressive cancer.

To Participate:

• If your dog is suspected to have a bleeding splenic tumor, please visit our emergency department to be evaluated as soon as possible. A complete screening (bloodwork and imaging) will be performed prior to enrollment and surgery.

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 assess the safety and effects of vinorelbine in insulinoma patients. 

Criteria:   

• Dogs with target lesion (>20 mm) or with persistent hypoglycemia after surgery 
• Histologic or cytologic confirmed pancreatic islet cell tumor or neuroendocrine tumor with high insulin-glucose ratio 
• Patient is a Non-surgical candidate or owner declined surgery 
• No significant comorbidities 
• Adequate blood work results 
• Patient cannot be on any other chemotherapy drugs concurrently (can include the case which failed Palladia and if blood work results are good, no wash-out period is required). 
• Patients with an expected survival < 4 weeks 

Benefit:   

• The primary goal of this study is to determine if vinorelbine can be used as an effective option to treat canine patients insulinomas.  
• After enrollment in the trial, the trial will cover the costs associated with the procedure, including vinorelbine, chemo administration fee, FreeStyle Libre device, placement, and interpretation fee.
  

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. 
  • The owner is responsible for initial assessment, consultation, and staging to determine eligibility for the trial, as well as recheck fee, blood work, and abdominal imaging test during the trial 
• This trial will require a total of up to 8 weeks of participation 

For more information on this study please contact: cvmclinicaltrials@missouri.edu with the subject pertaining to the trial of interest. Or, fill out a short survey here.

The University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Center is enrolling patients into a clinical trial to assess whether using special stains for the sodium iodide symporter can allow us to identify tumors that are taking up iodine after a thyroid tumor has been removed. This would limit the need for expensive thyroid scans before surgery and increase the number of dogs that could be considered for additional treatment if their thyroid cancer is aggressive. 

Criteria:   

• Dogs with presumed thyroid carcinoma considered likely candidates for thyroidectomy 
• Patients who have received neoadjuvant radiation (external beam or I-131) or chemotherapy, exogenous iodine supplementation are not eligible.  

Benefit:   

• The pre-operative thyroid scan would allow radioactive iodine therapy to be considered as an option following surgery, if there were concerns that your dog’s thyroid tumor was more aggressive than usual. 
• After enrollment, the study will contribute $1,500 to cover associated clinical costs. This includes coverage of costs associated with the pre-operative thyroid scan, including sedation and hospital care (approximately ($1,055). 

To Participate: 

• Pet owners must be willing to move forward with surgical planning and resection of thyroid and surrounding lymph nodes.  
• A full screening will be performed prior to enrollment at the owner’s expense. 
  • Responsible for initial assessment and consultation to determine eligibility for the trial. 

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 evaluate the immune response, safety and efficacy of a novel anti-cancer therapy in dogs with measurable oral melanoma. The goals include (1) predicting tumor specific proteins through sequencing of an individual’s tumor (2) documenting toxicity associated with vaccination with a personalized peptide vaccine and immune stimulatory medications (3) tracking the immune system’s anti-tumor response (4) decreasing the size/eliminate the oral melanoma. 

Criteria:   

• ≥ 5 kg 
• Tumor is located inside the mouth (e.g. maxilla, mandible, tonsil, tongue, buccal mucosa, lip) 
• Melanoma diagnosed by cytology or histopathology 
• Tumor is equal to greater than 3 cm in longest dimension 
• NO radiation therapy performed to the tumor prior to start of study 
• NO chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy (including steroids, Apoquel, etc.) within 3 weeks of starting the trial 
• Dog has not been recently vaccinated (>30 days) and not vaccinated during the trial 
• Dogs with distant metastatic disease cannot be included in the trial. 
• Dogs with local metastatic disease can be included in the trial. 

Benefit:   

• Once enrolled, this trial is fully funded and all costs of treatment and monitoring, surgery, peptide vaccination, Hiltonol, checkpoint inhibitor, bloodwork, chest x-rays, are covered at no additional cost to you while enrolled. 
  • Treatment of side effects are not covered. 

To Participate: 

• Owners must be able to participate for up to a year to complete trial protocol. 
• A full screening will be performed prior to enrollment at the owner’s expense. 
  • Responsible for initial assessment and consultation to determine eligibility for the trial. 

For more information on this study please contact: cvmclinicaltrials@missouri.edu with the subject pertaining to the trial of interest. Or, fill out a short survey here.

Cutaneous epitheliotropic lymphoma is a rare neoplastic condition in dogs.  Current treatment options are limited and duration of response is often short. Laverdia-CA1 (verdinexor) is a conditionally approved oral tablet for treatment of lymphoma in dogs. Laverdia has been evaluated for the treatment of multicentric nodal lymphoma but has not yet been evaluated for the treatment of cutaneous epitheliotropic lymphoma.

Criteria:

• Histologic diagnosis of cutaneous epitheliotropic lymphoma
• No prior treatment with cytotoxic chemotherapy or radiation therapy
• No concurrent Apoquel or Cyclosporine
• No concurrent steroids
  • washout period of 2 weeks is required or if a patient will remain on the steroid, the patient must have been on the steroid for > 2 weeks. If a patient is receiving a steroid at the time of enrollment and is exhibiting disease progression no tapering is needed and the patient can remain on the steroid.

Benefit:

• Laverdia will be provided to owners at no cost. Owners will be financially responsible for the cost of recheck exams, bloodwork, urinalysis and treatment of adverse events.
• We hope to evaluate the objective response rate of Laverdia as an induction chemotherapy treatment for patients with naïve cutaneous epitheliotropic lymphoma.

To Participate:

• If you have a potential candidate that is interested in participating, please contact Dr. Laura Yannai at 636-332-5041. Or, fill out a short survey here.

The University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Center is enrolling patients into a clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of lymphodepleting chemotherapy and xenogenic CAR-T cell therapy in dogs with spontaneous CD20+ lymphoma. CAR-T cells are lymphocytes (immune cells) that have had a series of genes added to them that make them professional killers of any cell carrying the target molecule. This study will seek to better understand the effects of the CAR-T cells on the tumor as well as the dog’s immune system.

Criteria:

• Canine patients weighing 10-50kg
• Boxer dogs excluded
• Patients with naive (newly diagnosed) and relapsed (pre-treated) B-cell lymphoma
• Must be feeling clinically WELL at home
• Must meet bloodwork requirements and have no evidence of primary gastrointestinal or lung involvement; eligibility at discretion of investigator
• Patients CANNOT be receiving immunomodulatory drugs (Apoquel, mycophenolate, cyclosporine, azathioprine)

Benefit:

• Complete cost of all treatments and rechecks covered by study, include initial staging and potential adverse side effects requiring hospitalization ($4000 coverage).
• Contribute to development of an important cancer therapy.
• Pet owners will be compensated $1500k 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.

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. Or, fill out a short survey here.

This trial is currently On Hold.

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. Or, fill out a short survey here.

The University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Center is enrolling dogs with osteosarcoma to evaluate whether a simple blood test can predict outcome for dogs with osteosarcoma (bone cancer). The study will start at the first visit and end at the identification of spread of disease (metastasis). This study will test whether a ratio of two white blood cell lines (the lymphocyte-monocyte ratio or LMR) predicts a poor outcome for dogs with osteosarcoma.

Criteria:

• Body Weight >5kgs after amputation
• Biopsy confirmed osteosarcoma
• Must undergo complete surgical excision of tumor
• Must be willing and able to commit to an intended treatment protocol of 6 doses of carboplatin chemotherapy, or an equivalent protocol pending patient’s tolerance of toxicities, at the MU VHC.
• Clients must be willing and able to commit to follow-up every 3 months following completion of chemotherapy for chest radiographs and blood collection at MU VHC
• Patients will NOT be eligible if they have lung metastasis, previous treatment, or significant comorbidities impacting healing

Benefits:

• First dose of carboplatin funded by the study

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.
• Any screening diagnostics to determine eligibility, surgery, and chemotherapy are the responsibility of the owner

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

The purpose of this study is to find out whether starting chemotherapy immediately after amputation can help dogs with bone cancer (osteosarcoma) live longer. Participants of this study will undergo amputation and follow with carboplatin chemotherapy starting the day after the surgery or right before they are discharged from the hospital. Participants will be followed until they develop spread of disease (metastasis).  Data collected will be analyzed to determine if giving chemotherapy sooner after amputation can provide a survival benefit.

Criteria:

• Dogs with bone tumors who have no received surgery
• Diagnosis of sarcoma with positive ALP staining based on cytology
• Dog must undergo amputation followed by 6 doses of carboplatin
• Must undergo complete surgical excision of tum
• Patients will NOT be eligible if they have lung metastasis or previous treatment

Benefits:

• Chest X-rays and bloodwork (CBC, chemistry) at the time of first chemotherapy will be funded by the study

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.
• Any screening diagnostics to determine eligibility, surgery, and chemotherapy are the responsibility of the owner

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 dogs receiving chemotherapy to see if having intestinal parasites makes the side effects of chemotherapy worse for dogs with cancer, and to compare the different types of immune cells between dogs with and without intestinal parasites.

Criteria:

• Dogs weighing >10kg
• Cytologic or histologic diagnosis of cancer
• Willing and able to undergo chemotherapy treatment
• No clinically significant diarrhea
• No previous chemotherapy within 180 days of study entry
• No autoimmune or immune mediated disease

Study Involvement:

• We will collect stool and blood samples on the day of your dog’s chemotherapy
• You will fill out a daily log sheet for the week following chemotherapy
• One week after chemotherapy we will inform you of your dog’s fecal test results

Benefits:

• Free fecal flotation + Giardia SNAP test

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

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a vaccine-enhanced adoptive T-cell therapy (immunotherapy) following surgical intervention for specific large to giant breed dogs with osteosarcoma.

Criteria:

• Patient must be one of the following breeds: Mastiff (all types), Saint Bernard, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Great Dane, Leonberger, Neapolitan Mastiff, Newfoundland, Anatolian shepherd, Tibetan Mastiff, Rottweiler, Bullmastiff, Irish Wolfhound, Scottish Deerhound, Great Pyrenees, Bernese Mountain dog, Dogue de Bordeaux, Cane Corso, and Boerboel (South African Mastiff), Golden Retrievers.
• Dogs with osteosarcoma of the radius or ulna
• Patients will NOT be eligible if they have lung metastasis, infection at the tumor site, soft tissue invasion by tumor, or pathologic fracture
• Owners must be able to adhere to the strict medical follow-up and comply with study protocols

Benefits:

• The recheck exams, bloodwork, and immunotherapy treatment will befunded by the study
• 70% of surgery will be funded by the study

To Participate:

• Study Involvement
• Treatment related to complications of surgery or immunotherapy are the responsibility of the owner
• 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.

For more information on this study please contact: cvmclinicaltrials@missouri.edu with the subject pertaining to the trial of interest or fill out this survey: https://missouri.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d5dT74Cou88Bolo?Q_CHL=qr