Oncology - Clinical Studies
Recruiting Cats for Study of Abdominal Lymphoma
The North Carolina State University Animal Cancer Program is currently recruiting cats affected with lymphoma to study the effects of abdominal cavity radiation therapy following induction chemotherapy.
Pet owners whose cats are enrolled in the study will receive $1,300 toward the cost of radiation therapy. Costs of blood tests performed during radiation therapy are also covered. Owners will be responsible for costs associated with diagnostics done during the pet's initial evaluation and for all post-treatment monitoring.
The study stems from a grant to the Animal Cancer Program from the Winn Feline Foundation to study lymphoma in cats. Dr. Laurel Williams, Associate Professor of Oncology at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, is the principal investigator of the multi-institutional study. Other satellite clinics include Cornell University and the Veterinary Specialty Hospital of the Carolinas in Cary, N.C.
According to Williams, pet owners who participate in the study will be contributing toward a greater understanding of this combined treatment approach, an important first step in improving the outcome for cats affected by this form of cancer.
"In cats, lymphoma most often develops in organs within the abdomen, including the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes" Williams says. "Because multiple organs can be affected, treatment has historically consisted of systemic chemotherapy."
"Unfortunately, cats treated with chemotherapy alone have a relatively poor and limited duration response to this treatment, with only 30 to 65 percent of cats responding to therapy for durations lasting 6 to 10 months. We are excited about studying the combination of chemotherapy with other forms of therapy - in this case, radiation therapy - in hopes this may ultimately improve the outcome in cats with lymphoma."
The Winn Feline Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) in 1968 to create a source of funding for medical studies to improve the health and welfare of cats. The foundation was named to honor CFA's longtime attorney and advisor, Robert H. Winn.
For more information or for consideration of your pet, contact Williams at the North Carolina Animal Cancer Program, 919-513-6690 or email Julie Osborne, clinical research technician.
Funding for Canine Soft Tissue Sarcoma
This is a funded trial testing tumor heating (hyperthermia) in conjunction with radiation therapy for dogs with soft tissue sarcomas. Eligible tumor types are undifferentiated sarcoma, fibrosarcoma, hemangiopericytoma, neurofibrosarcoma, myxosarcoma and liposarcoma.
Eligible dogs must have macroscopic tumor (10cm3 - 400cm3 volume), a peripherally located tumor with no bone invasion, and be free of other major medical problems. Dogs will be randomized to receive either a low (n=5) or high (n=16-18) number of hyperthermia treatments. Dogs will also have measurement of tumor physiologic parameters and have multiple tumor biopsies taken. All dogs will receive state-of-the-art radiation therapy to their tumor. Following treatment, there are no protocol requirements and tumor resection is allowed, depending on the preference of the owner. Owners will receive subsidization of hospital charges of approximately $4000, and all procedures specifically related to the project will be provided at no cost to the owner.
This trial is funded by the National Cancer Institute and has potential to result in optimization of the use of hyperthermia for the treatment of tumors in humans and animals.
For more information, please call 919.513.6690 or email Beth Case.
Feline Fibrosarcoma Study
Description: Injection-site sarcomas are devastating tumors in cats, which occur at sites of a previous injection or vaccination. Vaccines were first suspected as an underlying cause of these sarcomas, but other types of injections also appear to cause the tumors. The laboratory of Dr. Marlene Hauck is evaluating the genetic changes that are seen in these tumors along with genetics changes seen in spontaneously arising sarcomas and injection site reactions. Our goal is to identify potential targets for treatment and prevention to improve the outcome for cats with sarcomas. A biopsy sample is obtained from the sarcoma for the genetic analysis. This can occur at NCSU or at the primary veterinarian.
Eligibility: Any cat diagnosed with an injection-site sarcoma or spontaneously arising sarcoma. The biopsy must be place immediately in a RNA preserving solution.
Financial Incentive: There is no financial incentive to take part in this study. We are happy to ship the RNA preservative solution to any veterinarian performing a biopsy on a cat suspected of one of the above conditions.
Who to contact: please call 919.513.8276 or email Julie Fisher.
Canine Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study
Description: Soft tissue sarcomas are the most common type of solid tumors in dogs. They are locally invasive tumors with a high local recurrence rate. The metastasis rate is around 25% depending on the tumor type and grade. The laboratory of Dr. Marlene Hauck is evaluating the genetic changes that are seen soft tissue sarcomas that metastasize versus ones that do not. Our goal is to identify a gene or protein “signature” to identify those tumors most likely to metastasize, and ultimately to improve the outcome for dogs with soft tissue sarcomas. A biopsy sample is obtained from the sarcoma for the genetic analysis. This can occur at NCSU or at the primary veterinarian.
Eligibility: Dogs diagnosed with the following types of soft tissue sarcomas: fibrosarcomas, hemangiopericytomas, peripheral nerve sheath tumors, liposarcomas, leiomyosarcomas, rhabdomyosarcomas, myxosarcomas and undifferentiated sarcomas.
Financial Incentive: There is no financial incentive to take part in this study.
Who to contact: please call 919.513.8276 or email Julie Fisher.