UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
VETERINARY CENTER FOR CLINICAL TRIALS
Clinical Trials Report
July 2017
NEW CLINICAL TRIALS
Assessing a Treatment for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Cats

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common heart disease in cats and we do not have a good understanding of how to best treat this devastating disease. Pimobendan has been shown to have significant clinical benefits in cats with HCM, but more studies are needed to evaluate exactly how this drug affects heart function. The purpose of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effects of pimobendan on heart function in cats affected with HCM.
Understanding the Genetics Behind Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis in Bullmastiffs

Subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS) is the second most common heart defect diagnosed in dogs with Bullmastiff breed being an over-represented breed. There is no surgical treatment available that results in an increased life expectancy for affected cases. The aim of this study is to identify genes/variants associated with SAS in Bullmastiffs that can be used to develop a genetic test.
FEATURED ONGOING CLINICAL TRIALS
Reducing the Risk of Ventricular Arrhythmias in Dogs During Chemotherapy

Although effective, one of the reported side effects of doxorubicin is the liberation of histamine, which can cause ventricular arrhythmias. The concurrent use of anti-histamine agents like diphenhydramine with doxorubicin therapy could possibly reduce these abnormal beats. Therefore, the aim of this study is to see if use of diphenhydramine can reduce the risk of arrhythmias sometimes associated with the administration of chemotherapy.   
Finding a New Treatment for Pemphigus Foliaceus in Dogs

Although it is a rare skin disease, pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is the most common form of pemphigus and probably the most common cutaneous autoimmune disease in the dog. The goal of this study is to assess the efficacy of a Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor (BTKi) as a therapy for canine pemphigus foliaceus.  

Understanding the Genetics Behind Leopard Complex Spotting in Appaloosa Horses

Leopard Complex Spotting has been associated with several ocular conditions, which have similarities to a human disorder known as vitiligo. Two genes have been previously implicated in the loss of pigment in Appaloosas. The purpose of this study is to 1) investigate the morphology of the pigment producing cells (melanocytes) and determine if any ultrastructural differences exist among varying appaloosa genotypes, and 2) examine previously associated genes to determine the biological mechanism of pigment loss.  
 
Assessing a New Therapy for Maintaining Remission of Diabetes Mellitus in Cats

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the benefit of Exenatide-ER for maintaining diabetic cats in remission (in an insulin-independent state).



Improving Diagnostic Values for Cushing's Disease in Dogs

The cut off values previously used to diagnose Cushing's disease, were first determined over 30 years ago. Since then, there have been significant advancements in laboratory equipment and techniques as well as the clinician's ability to identify this disease as a differential diagnosis. The goal of this study is to re-evaluate the cut off values used to diagnose hyperadrenocorticism in dogs.  


Understanding How the Body Processes a Chemotherapy Drug in Cats with Lymphoma

Despite the wide use of chlorambucil in cats with small cell GI lymphoma, the pharmacokinetic parameters have not been previously studied in cats. Knowledge of the pharmacokinetic parameters of chlorambucil in this population of older, cancer-bearing cats is critical to understand why some cats experience side effects with chlorambucil therapy and determine if variability in the metabolism of chlorambucil contributes to treatment failure.
Assessing a New Method to Identify Bacterial Infections in Dogs with Prostatic Neoplasia

Male dogs and dogs with prostatic cancer are less likely to have positive urine cultures than females with cancer in their bladder or urethra. This may be because male dogs are less prone to infection or because the prostate contains an infection that is not also present in the urine or bladder. The purpose of this study is to determine whether it is possible to obtain useful bacterial culture samples from prostates in dogs with prostate cancer and to determine whether results of these cultures correlate with urine cultures collected directly from the bladder.

Treating and Understanding the Genetics Behind Equine Recurrent Uveitis (2 trials)

Trial #1 is assessing the use of stem cell therapy as a treatment for Equine Recurrent Uveitis.  

Trial #2 aims to identify the genetic factors contributing to Equine Recurrent Uveitis in Appaloosa horses.    

 Printable Flyer (#2 only) |  Read more...
Understanding Corneal Endothelial Dystrophy in Boston Terriers, German Shorthaired Pointers and German Wirehaired Pointers

Corneal endothelial dystrophy (CED) is a devastating disease that is commonly seen in Boston Terriers, German Shorthaired Pointers and German Wirehaired Pointers, thereby suggesting a genetic component.  The purpose of this study is to identify the region of the dog genome associated with CED in these breeds with the ultimate goal of developing a genetic test for the disease.  

Evaluating Post-Surgery Outcomes of Cats Undergoing Ureteral Stent Placement to Relieve Ureteral Obstruction

The purpose of this project is to record the intra-operative and postoperative complications associated with the procedure and determine the outcome of the procedure based on objective measures.

Assessing a New Technique to Treat Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts in Dogs

The purpose of this project is to assess the response to treatment of a relatively new treatment option (coil embolization) for intrahepatic portosystemic shunts, which has shown tremendous potential. 

Investigating New Treatments for Bladder Stones (2 trials)

Trial #1 aims to   evaluate the efficacy of a therapeutic diet for struvite dissolution in dogs.

Trial #2 focuses on evaluating   the effects of an oral nutraceutical on cystine solubility in the urine.


  Printable Flyers ( #1, #2) |  Read more...
TRIAL UPDATES
Clinical Trials that are "On Hold" 
  • Evaluating a Novel Formulation of Chemotherapy for Dogs with Lymphoma
  • Evaluating a Stem Cell Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Laser Ablation for Treatment of Ectopic Ureters in Dogs
  • Stem Cell Therapy for Dogs with Acute Severe Spinal Cord Injury
NOTE: Trials that are "On Hold" are not accepting new patients and we do not know when these trials will open back up.  If/when these trials do accept new patients again, we will notify you via this report and post information about the study (including contact information) on the VCCT website.

 
Clinical Trials that are Recently Completed or Finished Enrollment  
  • Assessing a Preventative for Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage
  • Assessing a New Therapy for Cats with Diabetes Mellitus
  • Assessing a Potential Treatment for Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs
  • Chronic Progressive Lymphedema in Friesian Horses
  • Use of Tanovea-CA1 in Dogs with Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma or Lymphoid Leukemia
  • Plasmid IL-12 + Electroporation Treatment for Soft Tissue Sarcoma in Dogs
  • Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping in Dogs with Mast Cell Tumors
THANK YOU!
Thank you for wanting to be a part of our clinical trials program.  We greatly appreciate your desire to participate in and inform others about our trials, and/or refer cases to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH).  The VCCT and our clinical trials wouldn't be here without you!  
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