Clinical trials for dogs
Description
The goal of this study is to determine if TK isoenzymes are good biomarkers for the early detection of HSA in dogs and to identify a threshold for detecting HSA from the presence of TK isoenzymes.
HSA is a malignant and rapidly growing cancer that is difficult to detect. HSA is a tumor derived from blood vessels, and thus the tumor is filled with blood. A frequent cause of death from HSA is the rupturing of the tumor, causing the patient to rapidly hemorrhage to death. HSA is common in dogs, and more so in certain breeds of dogs such as German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers. Dogs with HSA rarely show clinical signs until the tumor has become very large and has metastasized. Typically, clinical signs are due to hypovolemia after the tumor ruptures, causing severe bleeding. Owners of the affected dogs often discover that the dog has HSA only after the animal has collapsed secondary to bleeding. The HSA tumor often appears on the spleen, right side of the heart or liver.
There are currently no commercially viable screening mechanisms for detecting HSA in dogs. Most dogs present with HSA as emergencies and major decisions about treatment must be made without a definitive diagnosis. A screening test that would allow the detection of HSA would be very valuable in the planning of treatment and earlier detection of the disease. Preliminary data in dogs suggests that TK is significantly increased in dogs with some types of cancer, specifically HSA and thus TK may be useful in detecting, staging and monitoring disease in dogs with HSA.
Inclusion Criteria
Any dog (any age, sex or breed) with a hemoabdomen that undergoes exploratory surgery.
Exclusion Criteria
Dogs with pre-existing, previously diagnosed neoplastic conditions other than hemangiosarcoma will be excluded.
Client Benefits
There are no direct benefits to the client. The indirect benefit is that this research will aid in the development of a point-of-care test for the diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma in dogs which will help owners of dogs with hemoabdomen make decisions regarding the best management for their dogs.
Contact Information
Dr. Claire Sharp
Phone: (508) 839-5302
Description
To determine whether administration of beta-blockers results in either a prolonged survival or a longer time until recurrence of pericardial effusion in dogs with hemangiosarcoma.
Inclusion Criteria
Dogs with pericardial effusion and a right atrial mass identified on echocardiogram are eligible for the study.
Exclusion Criteria
Dogs with certain severe irregular heart rhythms (e.g., ventricular tachycardia) and dogs who have surgery for the condition.
Client Benefits
The results of this study will help us determine whether treatment with beta-blockers improves the outcome in dogs with this disease. The cost of the recheck echocardiogram is covered by the study.
Contact Information
Dr. John Rush
Phone: (508) 839-5395, ext. 8-4696.
Description
Pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs) resulting in respiratory distress is a common presenting complaint in veterinary emergency rooms and can be caused by a wide variety of underlying diseases. Malignant (cancerous) effusions are associated with a poor prognosis but differentiation of malignant from benign disease is often difficult on the basis of pleural fluid cytology and routine imaging. Differentiating between normal, reactive and malignant mesothelial cells to refute or establish a diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma is particularly challenging. Currently there are no commercially available tests for diagnosing malignant mesothelioma in dogs, and the gold standard diagnostic tool remains histopathology (evaluating a biopsy of the tissue that lines the inside of the chest wall).
The objective of this study is to evaluate SMRP as a biomarker for malignant mesothelioma in dogs. We hypothesize that the MesoMARK™ assay, designed to detect SMRPs in human serum, will cross react with canine SMRP and that dogs with malignant mesothelioma will have higher concentrations of SMRPs in both serum and pleural fluid, than dogs with pleural effusion in the absence of malignant mesothelioma.
Inclusion Criteria
Any dog (any age, sex or breed) with pleural effusion, of known or unknown etiology, is eligible for study inclusion, with owner consent.
Exclusion Criteria
None.
Client Benefits
There are no direct benefits to the client. The indirect benefit is that this research will aid in the development of biomarkers for canine malignant mesothelioma, which will help in the earlier diagnosis, and treatment of dogs with this disease in the future.
Contact Information
Dr. Claire Sharp
Phone: (508) 839-5302.
Description
The purpose of this study is to help find ways to accurately predict if/when a dog may develop dehiscence. Dehiscence is the breakdown and leakage of the intestine at the site that has been sutured closed. This is a complication that occurs in about 10-20% of dogs that have had surgery to repair their intestines. We hope to find a way to better predict/diagnose dehiscence in these dogs undergoing intestinal repair.
Inclusion Criteria
If your dog is undergoing a surgery due to septic peritonitis and is having (or had) surgery to repair his intestines (either an enterotomy or resection and anastomosis).
Exclusion Criteria
None.
Client Benefits
This study will cover the cost of lactate measurements, glucose measurements, abdominal fluid analysis, aerobic and anaerobic cultures after and during surgery. A variety of intestinal biomarker tests will also be run at a later date on saved samples of blood (IL-1B, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-alpha). With your pets participation in this study we hope to gain information that will help in the diagnosis, management and treatment of other dogs with this condition.
Contact Information
Dr. Yuki Tse
Phone: (508) 839-5395; ext. 8-4745
Description
Anxiety in hospitalized dog can contribute to patient morbidity and affect the caregivers’ ability to provide adequate nursing care. Additionally, anxiety experienced by one dog, and associated vocalization, often stimulates anxiety in other dogs in the hospital.
This study will involve the measurement of anxiety with the use of an anxiety scoring system in dogs hospitalized in the ICU. Following enrollment, dogs will be videotaped and scored (by the primary investigator) for 20 minutes as a baseline evaluation. The Thundershirt (a jacket placed around the dog’s torso which provides reassuring pressure) will be applied and the dog will be videotaped for an additional 10-20 minutes and scored again. After the period of videotaping the dog’s primary clinician will decide whether to keep the Thundershirt on the patient. More information about the Thundershirt can be found at http://www.thundershirt.com
We hypothesize that application of the Thundershirt will reduce anxiety in hospitalized canine patients as assessed by the anxiety score.
Inclusion Criteria
Dogs exhibiting anxiety, as subjectively assessed by ICU personnel, will be enrolled following client consent.
Exclusion Criteria
Physical factors that prevent the application of the Thundershirt, such as chest tubes.
Client Benefits
The direct benefit is the potential that the Thundershirt will reduce anxiety levels of their dog, preventing the need for giving sedative or anxiolytic drugs.
Contact Information
Dr. Claire Sharp: Claire.Sharp@tufts.edu
Michelle Damon: Michelle.Damon@tufts.edu
Description
This study is designed to evaluate whether instilling some of a patient’s own blood (termed a “blood patch”) in the chest cavity will hasten healing of small tears in the lung that result from vehicular trauma. These tears can cause air to leak into the chest cavity, causing pneumothorax, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Inclusion Criteria
Pneumothorax from trauma severe enough to require a chest tube.
Exclusion Criteria
Dogs managed with surgery.
Client Benefits
Free blood patch and monitoring.
Contact Information
Dr. Elizabeth Rozanski
Phone: (508)839-5395, ext. 8-4745
Description
To evaluate the effect of plavix dosing in respect to how much time is needed to achieve maximum platelet inhibition which may decrease risk of thrombeombolic disease.
Inclusion Criteria
Diagnosis of protein losing nephropathy, cases with high indices of suspicion without definitive diagnosis will also be considered.
Exclusion Criteria
Dogs will be excluded if they have received steroids or any anticoagulant medications.
Client Benefits
May be able to use a lower dose of plavix, therefore, more cost-effective.
Contact Information
Dr. Melissa Bucknoff, DVM
Phonoe: (508) 839-5395
Description
To evaluate the utility of MRS in non-invasively differentiating brain tumor types in dogs. MRS is an additional imaging study that can be done in conjunction with the MRI. The study includes any additional fees incurred for anesthesia and imaging for the MRS imaging only. It does not include fees for the MRI or the anesthesia required for the MRI.
Inclusion Criteria
Dogs with MRI findings consistent with a brain tumor. The study will include 24 dogs.
Exclusion Criteria
Unstable patients who would be at increased risk with a longer anesthesia time are excluded from the study.
Client Benefits
Preliminary results have shown differences in gliomas and meningiomas as compared to normal dogs. MRS is also non-invasive, therefore there are no additional risks for the patient.
Contact Information
Dr. Katie Weiss, DVM
Phone: (508) 887-4696
Description
Weight loss is one of the few factors that have consistently been shown to be associated with shortened survival in people with lymphoma. This study aims to document how often dogs experience weight loss or decrease in muscle mass at the time that lymphoma is diagnosed, and whether this finding impacts how dogs respond to treatment.
Inclusion Criteria
Dogs with multicentric lymphoma that have undergone full staging.
Exclusion Criteria
Prior chemotherapy (including prednisone) or dogs with lymphoma within the gastrointestinal tract.
Client Benefits
None
Contact Information
Kelly Reed, Oncology Liaison
Phone: (508) 887-4682
Description
The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University was selected as a contributing site for theCCOGC Biospecimen Repository. This is an innovative multi-institutional endeavor organized by researchers at the NCI to create a large tissue repository of spontaneous canine cancers.
The tissues within these repositories will be used for future investigations by researchers at locations across the country to allow a better understanding of canine and human cancers.
Inclusion Criteria
Any dog that will be undergoing a surgical procedure as part of his/her treatment. At the time of surgery, the tumor is sent to the pathology laboratory for diagnosis or examination. When these tests are completed, the remainder of the tissue is usually discarded. We would like to acquire any left over tissue to use for archiving purposes.
Exclusion Criteria
None.
Client Benefits
There is no direct benefit for participating in the tissue collection and banking. However your participation may help in understanding the genetic basis for canine (and possibly human) cancers.
Contact Information
Kristin Marshall, Oncology Clinical Trials Coordinator
Phone: (508) 887-4422
Description
Prior studies in the human and veterinary literature suggest that the use of a bisphosphate in the treatment of canine osteosarcoma may be effective in extending overall survival.
The goal of this study is to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of a bisphosphate, pamidronate, given in conjunction with standard of care chemotherapy for dogs with appendicular osteosaroma post amputation.
Inclusion Criteria
Dogs with osteosarcoma that have undergone surgery for removal of the affected limb.
Exclusion Criteria
Dogs must have no pre-existing renal disease.
Client Benefits
This study is not funded; so pet owners are responsible for all costs associated with this treatment.
Contact Information
Kelly Reed, Oncology Liaison
Phone: (508) 887-4682
Description
Although canine lymphoma is highly responsive to chemotherapy, the disease is rarely cured since the disease recurs in most dogs that receive chemotherapy. The goal of this study is to determine the highest dose of cyclophosphamide that can be given safely with cytokine support and whether this treatment will prolong remission duration beyond standard chemotherapy protocols.
Inclusion Criteria
Dogs with multicentric lymphoma in complete remission after multiagent CHOP-based induction chemotherapy.
Exclusion Criteria
Dogs with other significant medical conditions or who lower urinary tract disease are ineligible to participate in this study.
Client Benefits
Dog owners are financially responsible for costs associated with standard chemotherapy. Additionally the owner may be financially responsible for all tests that determine if the patient qualifies for the study. These tests may include re-check examination fees, blood and urine tests.
This study covers the cost associated with high-dose cyclophosphamide treatment, monitoring and supportive care.
Contact Information
Kelly Reed, Oncology Liaison
Phone: (508) 887-4682
Description
The main goals of this study are to correlate the different histologic subtypes of canine lymphoma with gene expression and response to treatment and survival time.
Inclusion Criteria
All dogs with newly diagnosed multicentric lymphoma that have enlarged peripheral lymph nodes are eligible for entry into this study.
Exclusion Criteria
Patients that have received prior chemotherapy are not eligible for participation in this study.
Client Benefits
The owner is financially responsible for all tests that determine if the patient qualifies for the study. These tests may include initial specialty examination, blood and urine tests.
The study will cover the costs of blood collection and histopathologic evaluation, including immunophenotype of your dog’s lymph node tissue (if applicable).
Contact Information
Kelly Reed, Oncology Liaison
Phone: (508) 887-4682
Description
Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor in dogs. Despite aggressive treatment with surgery and chemotherapy, most dogs die of metastatic disease that is resistant to conventional chemotherapy. Metronomic chemotherapy entails very small doses of chemotherapy that are given daily or every other day and help to deter the growth of new blood vessels needed to nourish cancer as it grows. Side effects associated with metronomic chemotherapy tend to be milder and less frequent than those seen with standard chemotherapy. The goal of this study is to evaluate for an increased disease free interval in dogs treated with standard of care surgery and chemotherapy followed with maintenance metronomic or low dose chemotherapy.
Inclusion Criteria
Dogs with osteosarcoma that have completed a standard course of chemotherapy after limb amputation.
Exclusion Criteria
Dogs with a life expectancy of less than 1 month or who have lower urinary tract disease are ineligible to participate in this study.
Client Benefits
This study is not funded; so pet owners are responsible for all costs associated with this treatment.
Contact Information
Kelly Reed, Oncology Liaison
Phone: (508) 887-4682
Description
The goal of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of low dose of metronomic chemotherapy as a maintenance therapy in dogs with hemangiosarcoma.
Hemangiosarcoma is a common tumor developing in the spleen of dogs. Despite aggressive treatment with surgery and chemotherapy, most dogs die of metastatic disease shortly after treatment.
Metronomic or LDC entails very small doses of chemotherapy that are given daily or every other day and help to deter the growth of new blood vessels needed to nourish cancer as it grows. Side effects associated with metronomic chemotherapy tend to be milder and less frequent than those seen with standard chemotherapy.
This form of chemotherapy has been used in dogs with spenic hemangiosarcoma after surgery and has been found to have efficacy as a single agent.
Inclusion Criteria
Dogs with hemangiosarcoma that have completed a standard course of chemotherapy after removal of the affected spleen.
Exclusion Criteria
Dogs with a life expectancy of less than 1 month or who have lower urinary tract disease are ineligible to participate in this study.
Client Benefits
This study is not funded; so pet owners are responsible for all costs associated with this treatment.
Contact Information
Kelly Reed, Oncology Liaison
Phone: (508) 887-4682
Description
This preclinical trial, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, is designed to evaluate three new chemotherapy agents in the indenoisoquinoline class. These drugs inhibit topoisomerase I, which is an enzyme important in DNA replication, and have shown efficacy in a variety of cancers.
The intent of this study is to define and compare the pharmacologic effects of these three drugs in dogs with lymphoma. Specifically, the study will assess basic properties of the drug, such as duration of action, markers of damage to DNA in cancer cells, and safety. The goal is to determine the appropriate dose of each drug and to determine if there are differences in biologic activity among the drugs. The response to treatment, specifically whether lymphoma goes into remission in the treated dogs, will also be assessed.
Inclusion Criteria
- Dogs of any age
- Cytologically or histologically confirmed diagnosis of lymphoma involving multiple external lymph nodes
- Dogs must be feeling well or only minimally compromised
- Dogs either must not have received treatment for lymphoma for at least 2 weeks prior to enrollment in the study
Exclusion Criteria
- Significant illness (such as kidney failure, liver disease, heart failure, severe anemia)
- Dogs weighing less than 33 pounds
- Dogs who have received prednisone for any reason in the two weeks prior to study enrollment
Client Benefits
This study is fully funded and will cover the cost of treatment, monitoring tests and management of treatment related side effects. Dogs that complete the 28-day study will be eligible to receive $1000 for further medical care at Tufts.
Contact Information
Kelly Reed, Oncology Liaison
Phone: (508) 887-4682
Email: Veterinaryoncology@tufts.edu
Description
The goal of this study is to evaluate a novel chemotherapy agent, GS-9219, for efficacy and toxicity in a population of dogs with a confirmed diagnosis of T cell cutaneous lymphoma. Canine cutaneous lymphoma is an uncommon but uniformly fatal canine disease. While most dogs may respond to treatment with chemotherapy, responses can be variable and are generally short in duration. New treatments for this disease are needed to improve patient comfort and survival.
Clients will be responsible for the cost of diagnosis and staging to determine eligibility prior to enrollment (~$350). You are also responsible for the cost of the recheck examination at each visit ($50), the cost of prednisone and any other ancillary medications during the study, as well as any other tests recommended by your pet’s oncologist. You are expected to make and keep all appointments, according to the clinical trial protocol once enrolled.
Inclusion Criteria
Dogs with biopsy confirmed cutaneous T cell lymphoma are eligible to participate. Dogs should be otherwise in good health and must have adequate organ function as determined by blood work and urinalysis. Previous treatment is allowable provided dogs have not received any chemotherapy in the past 3 weeks, radiation therapy in the past 6 weeks, or retinoid therapy in the past 7 days. West Highland White Terriers are not eligible to participate in this study because of the breed’s genetic predisposition toward idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Exclusion Criteria
Client Benefits
Clients participating in this study will be given special financial considerations. Specifically, all costs of blood work, urinalysis(s), x-rays and biopsies performed during the study are covered, as well all costs associated with administration of GS-9219. Additionally, a $500 credit will be applied to the pet’s account at the Foster Hospital for Small Animals at Tufts University at the completion of the study.
Contact Information
Kelly Reed, Oncology Liaison
Phone: (508) 887-4682
Email: Veterinaryoncology@tufts.edu
Description
Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is one of the most common cancers of the canine urinary tract. Existing treatment options for this disease have resulted in only modest benefit. Studies in both humans and dogs suggest tyrosine kinase inhibitors can provide a benefit in controlling disease progression for various solid tumors. Toceranib phosphate (Palladia®, Pfizer) is a FDA approved multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor for dogs with mast cell tumor. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and potential efficacy (tumor response) of toceranib phosphate in management of canine transitional cell carcinoma.
Inclusion Criteria
Dogs with TCC who have had tumor progression while receiving non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). Dogs must have a measurable tumor on abdominal ultrasounds.
Exclusion Criteria
Dogs with other significant medical conditions, kidney problems or GI ulcers that may limit the use of NSAIDs are ineligible from participating in this study.
Client Benefits
The owner is financially responsible for all tests that determine if the patient qualifies for the study. These tests may include abdominal ultrasounds, chest X-rays, blood and urine tests.
This study covers the cost of a limited number and portion of re-check examination fees, pre-treatmentCBC/platelet counts, abdominal ultrasounds, and chemistry profiles. Toceranib phosphate will be provided to the owner at no charge.
Contact Information
Kelly Reed, Oncology Liaison
Phone: (508)887-4682
Description:
Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in the dog and is comparable to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in humans. Chemotherapy is the standard of care for treatment and can provide long term disease control but survival beyond 2 years is rare.
There is active investigation into the utility of metabolic markers, such as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), as a predictor of response to treatment in humans with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Additionally these markers may serve as a target for future therapy.
The goal of this study is to assess levels of IGF-1 and other related blood biomarkers in canine patients with lymphoma. We will evaluate these markers for prognostic value and will determine whether they could serve as targets for therapy in the future.
Inclusion Criteria:
Dogs with a confirmed diagnosis of multicentric lymphoma (cytology or pathology), weighing more than 25kg. Dogs must be eating a commercial diet and be otherwise healthy.
Exclusion Criteria:
Dogs with other systemic diseases (diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, kidney disease, liver disease, etc). Dogs eating a home-cooked or raw diet.
Client Benefits:
No direct benefits. Dog owners are financially responsible for the costs associated with cancer staging plus standard chemotherapy and recommended treatment monitoring (weekly complete blood counts).
This study covers the cost of measurement of IGF-1 and other metabolites.
Contact Information:
Kelly Reed, Oncology liaison
508-887-4682
Healthy Boxers aged 5 years or older, of either sex or neuter status, with no known non-cardiac systemic disease (kidney disease, infection, hypothyroidism, etc.) and no congenital heart disease (e.g. subaortic stenosis, ASD, etc.). Boxers affected with arrhythmia or DCM may be 3 years or older
Exclusion criteria:
Description
We have started a new study to evaluate the use of ultrasound as a quick and non-invasive method of measuring muscle mass in dogs. In many of the common diseases of dogs, such as heart failure, kidney disease, and cancer, a big problem that occurs is muscle loss. This muscle loss is important because it can make dogs weak and can negatively affect their quality of life. We have been studying methods of diagnosing and treating cachexia (the muscle loss that occurs with various diseases) for over 15 years. We are currently evaluating whether ultrasound, an non-invasive test, can be used to quickly and easily diagnose muscle loss in its early stages.
Inclusion Criteria
To be eligible, dogs must be healthy 1-5 year old, neutered dogs (male or female) of the following breeds:
*Chihuahua
*Dachshund
*Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
*Doberman pinscher
*Boxer
Dogs must be purebred and should have no heart murmur or other medical problems.
Exclusion Criteria
Dogs with heart murmurs or any significant medical conditions
Client Benefits
If eligible, the dog will get a free examination at Tufts, will have a small blood sample collected (less than ½ teaspoon; to measure red blood cell count, blood sugar, and an estimate of kidney function), an x-ray of the chest to measure bone size, and an ultrasound of the muscles over his or her back (no shaving required).
In addition to getting the free tests (blood test, x-ray, and ultrasound of the back muscles), this information will be beneficial in the future for dogs with heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, and other common diseases by validating an easy ultrasound test to measure muscle mass.
Contact Information
Dr. Lisa Freeman Phone: (508) 887-4696