UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
VETERINARY CENTER FOR CLINICAL TRIALS
Clinical Trials Report
July 2016
NEW CLINICAL TRIALS
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.
Reducing the Risk of Ventricular Arrhythmias during Chemotherapy in Dogs

The current recommendation for canine lymphoma treatment includes doxorubicin. 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.
FEATURED ONGOING CLINICAL TRIALS
Understanding Feline Upper Respiratory Tract Disease in Cats

The purpose of this study is to evaluate 1) the utility of quantitative PCR (qPCR) to identify the role of viruses and bacteria in cats diagnosed with feline upper respiratory tract disease and 2) the efficacy of famiclovir in combination with standard therapy with an antibiotic for treatment of this disease.    

Finding Treatments for Osteosarcoma in Dogs (2 trials)

Trial #1 is looking at assessing whether a Natural Killer Immunotherapy will stop or slow formation of lung metastases in dogs. 
Trial #2 is evaluating safety and efficacy of adding Rapamycin to the standard treatment protocol for osteosarcoma in dogs.

Printable PDFs ( #1 and #2) |  Read more...
Understanding the Genetics of Bilateral Corneal Stromal Loss in Friesian Horses

Bilateral corneal stromal loss (BCSL) is a potentially progressive ocular disease that can be associated with pain, vision loss and even loss of the eye. The objective of this study is to determine the role genetics plays in BCSL in Friesian horses. This study is designed to determine the incidence of BCSL in the breed, to determine the mode of inheritance if a single gene is involved, and identify candidate genes for further investigation.
Using Stem Cell Therapy to Treat Gingivostomatitis in Cats

None of the current treatments for gingivostomatitis are ideal, predictable or exist without complications. In our previous studies, intravenous administration of autologous feline stem cells were shown to be safe, and, in most cases (~ 70%), substantially improved or completely resolved the stomatitis. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to treat cats that have a poor quality of life and failed to improve with all current treatment modalities.
Understanding the Genetics behind Old Age in Large Breed Dogs

Many current studies are aimed at trying to identify genes associated with diseases in dogs, but we are looking to see if genes exist that could help protect against these same life-limiting diseases in the dog.
Assessing a New Treatment Technique for 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.

 
TRIAL UPDATES
Clinical Trials that are "On Hold" 
  • Protease Inhibitor, KT-147, Treatment for Feline Infectious Pertonitis
  • Laser Ablation for Treatment of Ectopic Ureters in Dogs
  • Stem Cell Therapy for Dogs with Acute Severe Spinal Cord Injury
  • Plasmid IL-12 + Electroporation Treatment for Soft Tissue Sarcoma in Dogs
  • Radioimmunotherapy for Metastatic Sarcomas and Melanomas in Dogs
  • Biomarkers of B-cell Lymphoma in Dogs
  • Preventative Surgical Technique for Bloat in Dogs
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.
Recently Completed Clinical Trials
  • Subfertility in Older Maiden Mares
  • Transnare Cryoablation for Nasal Tumors in Dogs
  • Biomarker Assessment of Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
  • Assessment of Cone-beam CT to Image Brachycephalic Dogs with Dental Disorders
  • Characterizing Spontaneous Chronic Corneal Epithelial Defect in Boxers

Read more...
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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