UW Madison - Current Oncology Trials
Contact: VMTH Referral Coordinator 608-262-7676 or 800-DVM-VMTH
DOGS WITH OSTEOSARCOMA WITHOUT LUNG METASTASIS
The purpose of this study is to determine if the combination of carboplatin and gemcitabine chemotherapy is more effective than carboplatin alone (evaluated in previous studies) in the treatment of dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma following surgical amputation of the affected limb. The hypothesis that this combination approach will be more effective is based on the findings that when gemcitabine is combined with carboplatin, the drug routinely used to treat canine osteosarcoma, killing of tumor cells is greater than when either drug is used alone, and there is evidence of a combined effect in the treatment of human cancers. All dogs will receive carboplatin at a standard dose followed by gemcitabine on the same day. The study will pay for the cost of the gemcitabine and carboplatin; owners will be responsible for all other costs.
CCNU VERSUS DOXORUBICIN FOR THE TREATMENT OF STAGE II SPLENIC HEMANGIOSARCOMA
This study is open to dogs with stage II hemangiosarcoma (HSA). Treatment must begin within 14 days after splenectomy. Splenic HSA is a highly metastatic cancer and despite surgical excision (splenectomy), most dogs die within 2 months of diagnosis because of metastasis to the lungs and other organs. The addition of chemotherapy, typically doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide combinations (with or without vincristine), has resulted in median survival times for dogs with splenic HSA of only 145-180 days. CCNU is an orally administered chemotherapy drug that has activity against a range of cancers including histiocytic sarcoma, mast cell tumor and lymphosarcoma. This drug has not been studied against hemangiosarcoma. Because of the ease of administration and its activity against a wide range of cancers, the purpose of this study is to compare the activity of CCNU to that of doxorubicin against splenic hemangiosarcoma. Dogs will be randomized to receive either CCNU or doxorubicin. Owners will be responsible for initial staging, surgery, recheck visits, recheck bloodwork, and hospitalization for adverse events. The study will pay for the pre-enrollment limited echocardiogram and EKG, the chemotherapy drugs (and administration of the drugs), and follow-up x-rays, abdominal ultrasounds, echocardiograms, and EKGs.
NOVEL DRUG FOR THE TREATMENT OF DOGS WITH MEASURABLE MALIGNANT TUMORS
The purpose of this study is to evaluate a novel drug analog that has been shown to have anticancer activity against canine tumor cells in laboratory experiments. The maximum well-tolerated dose of these drugs has been determined from studies in normal dogs and in pet dogs with cancer. The goal of this study is to evaluate the antitumor activity of these drugs in dogs with malignant tumors. Clients participating in this study will be given special financial considerations. Specifically, the owner is responsible for the cost of diagnosing and staging their dog’s cancer prior to entering the study (approximately $700). The study will pay for all costs related to study drug treatment and follow-up evaluations and there is an additional financial incentive ($1,000 VMTH credit) for owners once their dog is entered into this study. Additionally, the cost of treating significant side-effects from these drugs, if they were to occur, will be defrayed (up to $3,000).
OFFSET THE COST OF BIOPSY FOR DOGS WITH LYMPHOMA, OSTEOSARCOMA, ORAL MELANOMA, SARCOMA, MAST CELL TUMOR, PRIMARY LUNG TUMOR, OR HEMANGIOSARCOMA
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 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. Diane Schrempp, Dr. Lassara McCartan, or members of the Oncology Service at (608) 263-7600.