MU Veterinary Clinical Research Office

05/23/2024

Meet Charlotte, our most recent Copper-64 CUTE cat study participant. Charlotte has mammary carcinoma. In people with breast cancer, copper is used by the tumor to promote growth and spread. Certain drugs, called copper chelators, can be given to reduce the progression of these tumors. In this study we are utilizing the Copper-64 radioisotope along with a PET/CT scan to help us understand how copper is metabolized by mammary tumors in cats. This study can potentially lead to new treatments for cats with mammary carcinoma. If you are interested in the study and would like to see if your cat may qualify, scan the QR code and fill out the survey and we will get back to you.

03/01/2024

Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a progressive, degenerative disease of the nervous system in dogs. It is challenging to diagnose, and the lack of effective treatment options leaves owners of affected dogs feeling helpless as their beloved pet declines.

A recently awarded grant from the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) offers hope for slowing the progression of DM in dogs. With funding from CHF Grant 03139: Riluzole as a Neuroprotectant in Canine Degenerative Myelopathy, investigators will study the drug riluzole as a potential treatment for dogs with DM.

Clinical signs of DM appear later in life and include worsening weakness and paralysis starting in the hind limbs and progressing to involve the front limbs, swallowing muscles, and diaphragm. The disease has characteristics similar to some forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease) in humans. Riluzole, the drug being studied, was the first FDA approved medication to treat ALS in humans in 1995. It prevents the build-up of excitatory nerve signaling molecules that can kill nerve cells in affected dogs and humans. This new study will evaluate safety and efficacy of Riluzole in treatment of DM.

The study has three aims: to evaluate the safety of oral riluzole use in dogs, conduct a multi-site clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of riluzole treatment, and show the utility of a recently discovered biomarker to track clinical progression of DM in dogs. This research is the first step toward the long-term goal of studying multiple DM treatment options simultaneously at several institutions in the United States (University of Missouri, The Ohio State University, North Carolina State University and Tufts University). Investigators started Project DM (www.caninedm.org), a network of canine DM researchers working together to accelerate progress in developing treatments for this disease.

An owner located near the University of Missouri can have their pet screened by going to the following link https://redcap.link/riluzoleDM and select University of Missouri to enter the information.

02/15/2024

Congratulations to our Science Hero, Duke, who has just completed our IL-12 clinical trial for soft tissue sarcoma! This study involved intratumoral injections of an immune-stimulating molecule, IL-12, followed by surgical removal of the tumor. Duke is helping us learn more about the tumor microenvironment which could lead to a new treatment for this cancer. He is such a sweet, handsome boy and we loved having him as our patient. Enjoy these pictures of Duke relaxing at home and cuddling with his crab toy!

02/12/2024

We would like to thank Sir Douglas Sebastion Fluffybottom III for being a science hero and participating in our FOSCC trial for Feline Squamous Cell Carcinoma. He's in our healthy cat cohort which helps us understand the treatment better for our cats with Squamous Cell Carcinoma. As you can see by the pictures, he's quite humble about being a Science Hero.
If your cat has been diagnosed with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and you would like more information about out trial, please call our main line 573-882-7821 or fill out the following survey https://missouri.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8w9jwNCtxlKGddY

02/05/2024

Have you been struggling with the loss of your pet? Please know there are resources available, including the VHC's Pet Loss Support Group. This support group is led by our hospital social worker and will allow you the space and time to process your feelings and find support among your peers. All VHC clients are eligible to join free of charge. If you are interested, please fill out the form in the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-YliXG2o-MzNNDotvySusUDCu8To-lWVgAaV2KLx3pbkkxA/viewform?usp=sf_link

01/17/2024

We are excited to announce a new clinical trial investigating the use of a novel radio-tracer (Copper-64) for PET imaging of cats diagnosed with mammary carcinoma!

Feline mammary carcinoma is the third most common cancer in cats. Similar to certain subtypes of breast cancer in humans, it has an aggressive biologic behavior, high risk of metastatic disease, and limited systemic treatment options.

We hope to use the information gained in this study to develop new systemic treatment options for cats diagnosed with mammary carcinoma in the future. Please see below for additional information on the study and use the provided link to fill out a survey to see if your cat qualifies.

https://missouri.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9WYc2JsTg3WRGiW

09/13/2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyGLG0HHHvo

Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is a solid tumor that starts in soft tissues (muscle, tendons, fat, nerves) including fibrosarcoma, liposarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, ...

09/11/2023

09/08/2023

We are currently enrolling in our newly opened trial for dogs with oral malignant melanoma. To see if your pet qualifies, take our survey below:
https://missouri.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8BwUu0oYPM5aFsq

08/28/2023

Insulinoma in dogs is a tumour of the pancreas that causes symptoms by producing excessive amounts of insulin. As a consequence, blood sugar levels are reduced, and patients feel light-headed and weak. We are currently enrolling dogs in a trial that investigates the use of Vinorelbine to treat insulinoma. Take the survey below to see if your dog qualifies:
https://missouri.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3BG74pwTNXrt6x8

08/15/2023

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) originates from the epithelial lining of the mouth and is the most common tumor of the mouth in cats by far. OSCCs are malignant because they are locally nvasive, and with time it can spread both locally to the regional lymph node and via the blood stream to the lungs systemically. We currently have a trial that is investigating treatment for feline oral squamous cell carcinoma. To see if your cat qualifies, please use the link below to take a survey.
https://missouri.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8w9jwNCtxlKGddY

08/14/2023

Our trial for cutaneous lymphoma is still enrolling patients. Call 573.882.7821 to make a new appointment to be evaluated by our oncology team. You can also take our survey at the link below to see if your dog may qualify:
https://missouri.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dast1MECqqeANmK

07/20/2023

Nancy is an adoptable Dog - Hound searching for a forever family near Columbia, MO. Use Petfinder to find adoptable pets in your area.

07/19/2023

06/09/2023

Dr. Bryan agreed to have his goatee dyed with tiger stripes if we met our clinical trial goals. We will do anything to beat cancer!

04/25/2023

We have a fully funded clinical trial for dogs withCD20+ B cell lymphoma. Make a new appointment today to see if your dog would qualify.

04/13/2023

Congratulations Kitty for completing radiation therapy. Also, thank you for being a part of our Feline Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (FOSCC) trial which is sponsored by the Morris Animal Foundation! You're such a good boy, Kitty!

03/30/2023

We have a clinical trial that forces cancer to reveal iself through PET/CT. By utilizing this new process, doctors not only identify that your dog has cancer but can see exactly where it is located in the body. This allows them to make a plan for either chemotherapy, radiation and/or surgery all at one time. All costs are covered for the PET/CT and a $2,500 credit is applied to the clients account for treatment.

03/16/2023

We have a newly opened trial that offers free PET/CT for dogs with locally advanced or metastatic cancer. This allows doctors to see exactly where the cancer is which will aid them in treatment and surgery if needed. Dog owners will also receive a $2500 credit to their MU VHC account for treatment!

03/09/2023

We currently have a Stereotactic Radiation Therapy trial for cats with oral squamous cell carcinoma. We are enrolling healthy cats, and cats with oral squamous cell carcinoma that will receive Lattice radiation therapy as well as those who receive other therapies. This study is being sponsored by Morris Animal Foundation. Pumpkin was gracious enough to volunteer for our healthy cat cohort so that we can get control data. Even though Pumpkin doesn't like to brag by wearing his bandana, he is still a science hero to us.

02/27/2023

Do you or someone you know have a dog with a soft tissue sarcoma? We are still enrolling patients in our IL-12 trial that utilizes the body's own immune system to help fight off cancer. Call or email us to find out more.

02/10/2023

Sweet Bentley graduated from Radiation Therapy today. Bentley is also a Science Hero, he participated in Dr. Barbour's Lipoma Prediction study. Congratulations Bentley!

01/20/2023

We have a new trial for dogs with TCC (Transitional Cell Cancer) in the bladder. Please visit the prescreening questionnaire to see if your dog qualifies at https://redcap.bmi.osumc.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=CJK9RPAC8A

01/14/2023

Even though the hospital went to the dogs, we survived another Friday the 13th. Louise did a great job warming up the PET/CT.

01/06/2023

Seeking dogs with heart disease suspected to be related to diet for research participants! Subsided visit with MU VHC Cardiology if pre-requisites are met. Please see the attached flyer and website for more information.