GEORGIA

University of Georgia

For further information on any of the trials at UGA visit: http://vet.uga.edu/research/clinical/current or request additional information through the UGA Oncology service by calling the small animal referral coordinator at 706-542-5362.

Examining the efficacy of toceranib phosphate (Palladia®) as a primary and/or adjuvant agent in the treatment of feline oral squamous cell carcinoma

Study details:

Especies: cats

Tumor type: Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose of study: The objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy of toceranib phosphate (Palladia®) alone or as a radiation-sensitizing agent in the treatment of feline oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Cats will receive Palladia® alone or in combination with palliative radiation therapy. Palladia® will be administered orally on a Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule for up to one year. Radiation treatments will be delivered twice weekly for three weeks. Owners will elect which treatment the cat will receive: Palladia® alone or Palladia® and radiotherapy. Cats must have a confirmed diagnosis of oral SCC to be eligible for participation in this study.

Once accepted into the study, cats will have a physical examination and repeat laboratory blood work (CBC) performed weekly for the first 3 weeks, at week 5, and then at four-week intervals (week 9, 13, etc.) for up to one year. Palladia® will be provided at no charge to the client. Fees related to tumor staging, radiotherapy (if used), recheck visits, scheduled blood work and treatment of any side effects or unexpected complications are the financial responsibility of the owner.

 

Safety evaluation of an immunomodulator in cats as an adjunct treatment for fibrosarcoma under field conditions.

Study details:

Especies: cats

Tumor type: Fibrosarcoma

Purpose of study: Feline fibrosarcoma is well recognized in veterinary oncology. Although the reported metastatic rate is relatively low (0-28%), these tumors are extremely locally invasive, and recurrences are common despite aggressive local treatment. When treated with surgery alone, recurrence is likely despite apparent complete excision, and the median time to first recurrence is very short. Despite recent advancements in surgical, radiation, and medical therapies, control of this disease remains very challenging. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the safety of an immunomodulator in cats as an adjunct treatment for fibrosarcoma.

We expect this trial will provide valuable information about the safety of the immunomodulator in cats with fibrosarcoma.

 

The treatment of canine brain tumors with Cetuximab administered using convection enhanced delivery (CED)

Study details:

Especies: dogs

Tumor type: canine brain tumors

Purpose of study: Given their location within the skull, many brain cancers are not accessible to surgical excision, the main treatment option for brain cancer. Likewise, chemotherapy has traditionally been ineffective due to limited access allowed by the blood brain barrier. In an effort to deliver chemotherapy drugs directly into a cancer, a procedure called convention enhanced delivery (CED) has been developed. This procedure uses a small catheter placed into a cancer which allows delivery of a high dosage of chemotherapy directly into the cancer, thus limiting systemic drug concentrations a patient must receive and therefore minimizing chemotherapy side effects.

This study will evaluate infusion of a new drug (Bioconjugated Cetuximab Iron Oxide Nanoparticles; BCIONPs) directly into the brain tumor using CED. The drug Cetuximab has been used in the treatment of brain tumors in humans, and preliminary studies in healthy dogs has shown Cetuximab IONPs delivered using CED to be a safe treatment modality.

 

Phase I clinical trial of 5-fluorouracil in tumor-bearing dogs

Study details:

Especies: dogs

Tumor type: Epithelial tumors

Purpose of study: 5-fluoropyrimidime antimetabolite drugs such as 5-fluoruracil (5-FU) are primarily used in human oncology to treat epithelial tumors. Although 5-FU has been used to treat cancer in dogs, its dosage, treatment schedule, and toxicities have never been appropriately investigated. The objectives of this study are to determine the maximum tolerated dosage, to establish a safe starting dosage, and to determine treatment-related side effects of 5-FU in dogs with cancer. Dogs must have a confirmed diagnosis of malignant cancer to be eligible for participation in this study. Assuming the dog tolerates the first four treatments well, treatments may be continued, off study, at the owner’s expense. Up to $500 is budgeted per dog to treat severe complications of treatment (should they occur). Any costs greater than $500 will be the owner’s responsibility.

5-FU is an underutilized, yet relatively inexpensive chemotherapeutic drug; its use in veterinary medicine has been limited by its associated neurotoxicity. We expect this trial will provide valuable information about the safe dosage and toxicity of 5-FU in dogs with cancer, thereby supplying another option in our arsenal of canine cancer treatments.

 

Use of indocyanine green (ICG) and an intraoperative spectroscopy and imaging system (ISIS) in dogs with malignant solid tumors

Study details:

Especies: dogs

Tumor type: Any solid malignant tumor

Purpose of study: The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of a portable handheld imaging device (ISIS) to more accurately identify residual tumor cells within the walls of the surgical cavity. The ultimate goal is to improve detection of microscopic tumor boundaries during surgical excision. Dogs must have a biopsy confirmed diagnosis of malignant solid tumor to be eligible for participation in this study.

With the ability to better determine microscopic tumor extension intra-operatively, we may be able to reduce morbidity associated with tumor resection and improve the likelihood of complete tumor resection during the first surgical attempt. Furthermore, studies of this system in dogs with cancer will complement currently planned human trials designed to test similar endpoints.

 

Phase I/II clinical trial of canine parainfluenza virus (PIV5) as an anti-cancer agent in dogs

Study details:

Especies: dogs

Tumor type: Malignant solid tumors

Purpose of study: Use of oncolytic viruses as anti-tumor agents is a viable alternative to standard cancer therapies. Many viruses have demonstrated efficacy in killing cancer cells in vitro and in vivo; currently some are being tested in human clinical trials. In our preliminary studies, we determined that canine parainfluenza virus (PIV5) is effective in treating human breast cancer, human melanoma, and human lung cancer using mouse xenograft models. The objectives of this study are to determine the safety and potential efficacy of PIV5 therapy in dogs with cancer. Dogs must have a biopsy confirmed diagnosis of malignant solid tumor to be eligible for participation in this study.

This trial is expected to provide valuable information about the safety and efficacy of PIV5-based therapy as an alternative to current cancer treatments. We expect intratumoral administration of PIV5 will be safe, and we do not anticipate significant viral shedding from intratumorally treated dogs. If successful, this virus-based therapy can be incorporated into other cancer treatment protocols, in hopes of improving tumor control, extending survival times, and possibly improving quality of life. Alternatively, virus-based treatments can be used as a sole modality in cases where other treatments are not viable options.

 

Phase II evaluation of GS-9219 in canine cutaneous lymphoma

Study details:

Especies: dogs

Tumor type: Lymphoma

Purpose of study: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a new chemotherapy drug for canine cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL). Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in dogs, and although most dogs with multicentric lymphoma initially respond well to chemotherapy, response rates are considerably lower in dogs with CTCL. GS-9219 is a novel drug that has demonstrated efficacy in dogs with multicentric lymphoma. For the most part, GS-9219 has been well tolerated in dogs, with potential side effects including bone marrow suppression, skin toxicity, and gastrointestinal upset. Dogs must have a histologically confirmed diagnosis of CTCL to be eligible for participation in this study. In addition the following conditions must be met:

Lymphoma is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in dogs. While conventional chemotherapy induces remission in the majority of dogs with multicentric lymphoma, novel treatments are needed for the cutaneous form of this disease. Successful demonstration of efficacy of GS-9219 against canine CTCL will provide an important drug in the veterinarian’s armamentarium against this challenging disease.

 

Examining the efficacy of toceranib phosphate (Palladia™) as a primary and/or adjuvant agent in the treatment of canine nasal carcinoma

Study details:

Especies: dogs

Tumor type: Canine nasal carcinoma

Purpose of study: The purpose of this study is to determine the activity of toceranib phosphate (Palladia™) alone or as a radiation sensitizing agent in the treatment of canine nasal carcinoma. Results from this study may provide a novel avenue of treatment for this type of cancer. Dogs must have a confirmed diagnosis of intranasal carcinomas to be eligible for participation in this study.

Currently radiation therapy is the treatment of choice and is the only modality which has resulted in improvement of survival times for dogs with nasal carcinoma. It is hoped that the radiation sensitizing effects of Palladia, in conjunction with radiation therapy, will prolong the time until cancer progression and extend survival times in these patients.

 

COTC018: Evaluation of iniparib in tumor bearing dogs to define its pharmacokinetic profile and biological activity

Study details:

Especies: dogs

Tumor type: Any cancer

Purpose of study: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of iniparib, a novel anticancer agent, in dogs with cancer. Iniparib has been safely evaluated in human patients with cancer and normal research dogs; however this agent has not been previously used in dogs with cancer either alone or in conjunction with carboplatin. Dogs must have a biopsy confirmed diagnosis of a malignant melanoma, head and neck carcinoma, or soft tissue sarcoma to be eligible for participation in this study.

It is hoped that dogs with tumors will show an improved response to this novel treatment. In addition, studies of this new drug in dogs with cancer will complement currently planned human trials designed to test new doses and effects of this agent.

 

Prospective comparative evaluation of canine lower urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma with magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound

Study details:

Especies: dogs

Tumor type: Transitional Cell Carcinoma

Purpose of study: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to accurately define the presence and extent of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), as well as better defining metastatic disease (spread) to regional lymph nodes. Transitional cell carcinoma is currently a challenging cancer process to accurately characterize and monitor for response to different therapies. Ultrasound examination of the bladder, urethra and prostate is the most commonly used imaging test, but due to the inherent inadequacies of ultrasound, advanced imaging using modalities with better resolution for neoplastic processes needs to be investigated. MRI has proven superior in human patients with transitional cell carcinoma, but has not been examined in canine patients. Dogs must have confirmed diagnosis of lower urinary tract TCC to be eligible for participation in this study.

It is hoped that resulting data would provide evidence of the accuracy of MRI in evaluating TCC. The long term goal of this study is to prospectively and non-invasively monitor treatment response to