bone cancer dogs, inc - ncsu trials article
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Clinical TrialsExploring novel treatments for canine osteosarcoma
Ronnie Coates and his dog Max are part ofa trial sponsored by Bone Cancer Dogs.
Dr. laurel Williams, associate professor ofoncology, is the principal investigator of a regionaltrial evaluating a novel treatment strategy toextend the quality of life of dogs being treated forosteosarcoma.
Osteosarcoma is the most common caninebone cancer. It typically affects large, fast-growingbreeds including Rottweilers, Irish Wolfhounds,Great Danes, Doberman Pinschers, and St.Bemards. Tumors are locally invasive and have ahigh rate of metastasis, spreading to other placesin the body.
The regional trial, funded by Bone CancerDogs, Inc., is evaluating the impact of the drugPalladia ™ in dogs that are being treated forosteosarcoma. Palladia ™ has the ability todisrupt the blood supply to cancer cells and may,therefore, delay or prevent metastasis, a processdependent on an intact blood supply. Standardtreatment for osteosarcoma involves amputationand chemotherapy.
"Current life expectancy for a dog diagnosedwith osteosarcoma is approximately four to sixmonths following amputation," says Dr. Williams,an oncology specialist in the Randall B. Terry, Jr.Companion Animal Veterinary Medical Center."With the addition of chemotherapy, survival timesincrease to approximately 10 to 12 months. We arecurrently investigating novel treatment strategies,such as the use of Palladia ™ , to further improveoutcomes. Our hope is that this multi-modalityapproach will provide an extended quality of life for
dogs diagnosed with osteosarcoma."The clinical trial is recruiting participants.
To be considered for this study dogs must haveappendicular osteosarcoma with no radiographicevidence of pulmonary metastasis followingamputation and four cycles of carboplatinchemotherapy.
Accepted study participants will undergo aninitial evaluation consisting of a physical exam,complete blood count, chemistry panel, serumfor study analysis prior to any chemotherapy,urinalysis, 3-view thoracic radiographs;amputation; and four cycles of carboplatinchemotherapy.
Patients will then begin receiving oralPalladia ™ two weeks after their final carboplatinchemotherapy treatment. Patients will need toreturn to NC State's College of Veterinary Medicineonce each month and Palladia ™ treatment willcontinue until metastatic disease is confirmed bythoracic radiographs.
The costs of Palladia ™ and blood workassociated with drug monitoring will be coveredby the study. Clients will be responsible for costsassociated with initial evaluation, amputation, andevery other month thoracic radiographs.
Bone Cancer Dogs Inc., is a non-profitorganization comprised of dog owners committedto changing the outcome of canine osteosarcomathough education, client-to-client support, andfunding of research and clinical trials exploringthe genetics of the disease and developing new
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treatment strategies. Bone Cancer Dogs Inc. isalso supporting a NC State CYMstudy determiningthe feasibility of a novel limb-sparing implant fortreating canine osteosarcoma.
For more information please contact studycoordinator, Julie Nettifee Osborne, RYT,at919.513.6812 or via e-mail at [email protected].
Comparative Pain Labseeks study participants
The Comparative Pain Research laboratory inthe Veterinary Health and Wellness Center (YHWC)is evaluating the use of owner-based assessmentsfor monitoring arthritis-associated chronic painin cats, and the use of a low-dose nonsteroidalmedication to treat this pain.
Study participants must be indoor-onlycats not on steroids or pain medication. After aqualifying telephone interview, owners will bescheduled for a medical screening with their cat,which will include physical and orthopedic exams,blood work, urinalysis, and X-rays-all at no costto the owner.
Participants will then be fitted with an activitymonitor-a quarter-sized device secured to thecollar. Owners will need to visit the the YHWC th~eetimes during the study to complete questionnairesabout their eat's progress. At these visits, ownerswill be provided with a daily oral medication (canbe given with food) which will be either a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication or placebo.At the end of the study, owners and their cats willvisit the YHWCfor a final appointment to includecomplete blood work, urinalysis, and physicalexam-also at no cost to the owner.
Until this study there has not been avalidated way of determining if a cat is sufferingfrom musculoskeletal pain. The questionnairedeveloped by this study will help veterinariansdetermine if a cat is experiencing pain, the level ofthat pain, and effectiveness of treatment. For moreinformation, please call 919.513.6854, or e-mailcvm_ [email protected].