UW Madison - Current Oncology Trials
Current Oncology Clinical Trials – March 2008
Contact: VMTH Referral Coordinator 608-262-7676 or 800-DVM-VMTH
DOGS WITH NEWLY DIAGNOSED MULTICENTRIC LYMPHOMA
This study is open to dogs with intermediate or high-grade multicentric lymphoma of stages II through V for which Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) therapy is elected by the owner. The purpose of this study is to determine if adding the chemotherapy drug Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) to the treatment protocol would be beneficial. This is a randomized study in which all dogs receive doxorubicin and are then randomized to receive cyclophosphamide or placebo. The cost of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide will be covered by the study; owners are responsible for all other costs including the cost of initial staging (approximately $600) and follow-up evaluations.
DOGS WITH OSTEOSARCOMA WITHOUT METASTATIC DISEASE
We have 2 funded chemotherapy studies for dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma.
1: Dogs with normal alkaline phosphatase levels pre-amputation and no evidence of metastasis qualify for a study evaluating the efficacy of Carboplatin and Pamidronate therapy. Dogs must have an amputation before entering the study. Treatment must be started within 2 weeks of amputation. Owners are responsible for all costs except for pamidronate and its administration.
2: Dogs with elevated or normal alkaline phosphatase pre-amputation and no evidence of metastasis qualify for a study evaluating the efficacy of Doxorubicin with or without Piroxicam. Dogs must have an amputation before entering the study. Treatment must be started within 2 weeks of amputation. The doxorubicin and piroxicam are covered by the study, but the owners are responsible for drug administration costs and all other charges.
DOGS WITH OSTEOSARCOMA WITH LUNG METASTASIS
This study is open to dogs diagnosed with appendicular osteosarcoma that have undergone amputation and have developed lung metastasis. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a novel treatment for lung metastasis. This is a randomized study in which all dogs initially receive either active drug or a placebo. If there is no response after 30 days, the code will be broken and dogs that had been receiving placebo will be offered the active drug. All costs related to treatment and follow-up will be paid for by the study. This study requires weekly visits to the VMTH for the first 2 months of treatment.
DOGS WITH SPLENIC HEMANGIOSARCOMA
Following splenectomy (tumor removal), dogs may be eligible to participate in a funded clinical trial evaluating a novel anticancer immunotherapy agent, PEG-TNF. Owners are responsible for the cost of the initial staging and surgery (approximately $1200-1800 if surgery has not already been performed, $400-600 for staging alone); all costs associated with the performance of the study are supported. Note: the splenectomy need not be performed at UW. This study requires weekly or biweekly VMTH visits.
DOGS WITH MALIGNANT MELANOMA ACCESSIBLE FOR BIOPSY
May be eligible to participate in a funded clinical trial evaluating a novel anticancer immunotherapy agent, PEG-TNF. Owners are responsible for the cost of the initial staging (approximately $400-600), and then all costs associated with treatment and study follow-up are covered by the study, and there is an additional financial incentive for owners once their dog is entered into this study. This study is funded by the American Cancer Society.
DOGS WITH MULTIPLE MYELOMA
The purpose of this study is to evaluate a novel anti-myeloma drug. Owners are responsible for the cost of initial staging. All treatment and follow-up costs are paid for by the study, and there is an additional financial incentive for owners once their dog is entered into this study.
OFFSET THE COST OF BIOPSY FOR DOGS WITH LYMPHOMA, OSTEOSARCOMA, OR ORAL MELANOMA
We have recently been named one of three centers nationally to become a cancer tissue procurement center for the newly formed Canine Comparative Oncology and Genomics Consortium (CCOGC), a group of veterinary and medical researchers who have determined that a well-described repository of canine tumor tissues is an essential resource to progress new cancer therapies. This new resource to fight cancer has been named the Pfizer Inc. – CCOGC Biospecimen Repository. The cost of surgical biopsy collection, a necessary diagnostic step in the majority of patient work-ups, is completely covered in most cases (unless involving open cavity collection).
CATS WITH PRIMARY OR RECURRENT VACCINE-ASSOCIATED SARCOMA
Cats with any histologically confirmed, vaccine-associated sarcoma (VAS) of any histologic subtype, with measurable tumor, may be eligible for this study. VAS are extremely locally invasive and recurrences are common despite aggressive local treatment. In addition, these treatments are prohibitively expensive for many owners. Chemotherapy may represent another viable treatment option but has not been evaluated extensively for VAS. Anecdotally, oncologists have noted measurable responses of feline VAS to Lomustine (a relatively inexpensive chemotherapy drug); however, to date, no clinical trials have been reported in the veterinary literature. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of lomustine in cats with VAS. Owners are responsible for the cost of the initial staging (approximately $400-600), and then all costs associated with the performance of the study are supported.
CATS WITH ANY MEASURABLE TUMOR
May be eligible for a funded clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of docetaxel (Taxotere). Owners are responsible for the cost of the initial staging (approximately $400-600). The study will pay for all costs related to docetaxel treatment and follow-up evaluations for the first 5 treatments (excluding examination charges).
For additional information regarding any of these studies, please contact Dr. Cecilia ROBAT, or members of the Oncology Service at (608) 263 7600.