UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
VETERINARY CENTER FOR CLINICAL TRIALS
Clinical Trials Report
October 2017
FEATURED ONGOING CLINICAL TRIALS
Oral Melanoma - Treating and Identifying in Dogs (2 trials)

Trial #1 is assessing a new treatment to carry oxygen to the tumor to hopefully make it more responsive to treatment.

Trial #2 aims to determine whether lymph node palpation, CT scan, combined PET/CT scan are the most reliable methods for identifying metastatic lymph nodes.

Liver Tumors - Using a New Technique to Shrink Tumors in Dogs

When liver tumors in dogs cannot be removed with surgery, treatment options are limited or non-existent. In humans, one of the standard treatments for those cases is transarterial embolization (TAE), which eliminates the blood supply of the tumor and may decrease tumor size. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to 1) describe the procedure of TAE in a group of dogs with naturally-occurring liver cancer, and 2) evaluate the effect of TAE on clinical signs and the size of the tumor.      

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Epilepsy, Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy, and Addison's Disease - Understanding the Genetics in Multiple Dog Breeds

The purpose of the Canine Genetic Disease Project is to evaluate the mode of inheritance, identify genes responsible for disease expression and join the tools of statistics with molecular genetics. 
  
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Ventricular Septal Defects - Identifying the Genetics in Arabian Horses

Ventricular Septal Defects (VSDs) are the most common congenital heart defects in horses and allow blood to shunt inappropriately from the left ventricle to the right ventricle via an opening in the ventricular septum. This blood recirculates through the lungs and left chambers, resulting in enlargement of these structures. Arabian horses are overrepresented in horses presenting for VSDs, and we are investigating the possibility of a genetic predisposition for this defect.  
Cleft Lip and/or Palate - Understanding the Genetics in Dogs

Cleft lip and/or cleft palate are developmental defects that result in the failure of the roof of the mouth to properly form. The aim of this study is to identify the genes responsible for these birth defects and prevent them in future litters. 


Upper Respiratory Tract Disease -  Understanding the 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.    

Primary Glaucoma - Understanding the Genetics in American Cocker Spaniels

Glaucoma is a disease that is a common cause of blindness worldwide in human and canine patients. We are interested in characterizing this disease better with hopes of identifying protein biomarkers or the genetic components of this disease.   

Dry Eye Syndrome - Understanding the Genetics in West Highland White Terriers

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) or dry eye is a devastating disease that causes ocular pain and potentially blindness. It is seen more frequently in West Highland White Terriers in comparison to many other breeds. We are interested identifying the genetic components of this disease as well as characterizing this disease better with examination and testing of the tear film and ocular surface and in select patients using advanced imaging techniques.

Nasal Cancer - Using a Combination of Therapies for Treatment in Dogs

The purpose of this study is to prospectively evaluate the response of nasal cancer to a combination of therapies (chemotherapy and radiation therapy) in dogs. 
 
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Hiatal Hernias / Brachycephalic Obstructor Syndrome - Examining a New Surgical Treatment for Dogs

Brachycephalic dogs have a tendency to develop hiatal herniation (HH) with greater frequency than non-brachycephalic dogs. Dogs with relative obstruction of the upper airways may generate a decreased pressure in their chest during inspiration that results in the upper part of the stomach being sucked into the chest. We hypothesize that, if the upper airway obstruction in these dogs can be alleviated, improvement in their respiratory compromise might be seen as well as a reduction in the severity of their HH.  

TRIAL UPDATES
Clinical Trials that are "On Hold" 
  • Identifying Lymph Node Metastasis in Dogs with Lung Tumors
  • Assessing Minimally-Invasive Tumor Ablation in Cats and Dogs
  • Improving Operative Detection of Tumors in Cats and Dogs
  • Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping in Dogs
  • Assessing a New Therapy for Cats with Diabetes Mellitus
  • Assessing a Potential Treatment for Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs
  • 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  

  • Finding the Best Collection Method for Infectious Keratitis in Cats, Dogs and Horses
  • 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
  • Treating Foals with Neonatal Maladjustment Syndrome with the Madigan Assisted Squeeze Technique
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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