UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
VETERINARY CENTER FOR CLINICAL TRIALS
Clinical Trials Report
November 2017
NEW  CLINICAL TRIALS
ONCOLOGY
Feline Cancer - Understanding How the Body Processes the Chemotherapy Drug, Vinblastine, in Cats

Although vinblastine is commonly used in veterinary cancer therapy, most commonly for treating feline lymphoma, there is currently no information on how the drug is distributed and eliminated in these cats. This study aims to describe the pharmacokinetic profile of vinblastine in cats and to identify which characteristics or traits that can vary from one cat to another influence how vinblastine is distributed and eliminated in cats.
  
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FEATURED ONGOING CLINICAL TRIALS
CARDIOLOGY
Ventricular Arrhythmias - Reducing the Risk 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.    
  
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Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy - Assessing a Treatment 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. 
  
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GENETICS
Leopard Complex Spotting - Understanding the Genetics 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.    

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Aspergillus spp. Infections - Understanding the Genetics in German Shepherds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Hungarian Vizslas

Systemic fungal infections such as aspergillosis are rare in animals with a competent immune system; however, certain dog breeds are reported to have a higher risk of this uncommon disease. We propose to use genome-wide association analysis to evaluate the differences in the genetic material of German Shepherds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Hungarian Vizslas infected with   Aspergillus spp .
  Printable Flyer (PDF) for  German Shepherds,  Hungarian Vizslas,  Rhodesian Ridgebacks
INTERNAL MEDICINE
Bladder Stones - Investigating a New Diet for Dissolution

The purpose of this trial is to  evaluate the efficacy of a therapeutic diet for struvite dissolution in dogs.

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Diabetes Mellitus - Assessing a New Therapy for Maintaining Remission 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). 
 
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ONCOLOGY
Lymphoma - Evaluating a Novel Formulation of Chemotherapy in Dogs

Doxorubicin is a highly effective drug for the treatment of lymphoma and can be loaded into nanoparticles, which may allow for better penetration of the drug into the tumor. A micelle-encapsulated formulation of doxorubicin has been developed, and through this clinical trial, we are evaluating the dose that can be administered and the safety of the micelle formulation of doxorubicin when given to dogs with lymphoma.  

OPHTHALMOLOGY
Equine Recurrent Uveitis - Treating and Understanding the Genetics (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.      

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Corneal Endothelial Dystrophy - Understanding the Disease 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.   

   Printable Flyers (PDF) for  Boston Terriers,  German Shorthaired/Wirehaired Pointers
SOFT TISSUE SURGERY
Ureteral Obstructions - Evaluating Post-Surgery Outcomes of Cats Undergoing Ureteral Stent Placement

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. 

Chylothorax - Assessing a New Treatment in Dogs

The traditional combination of thoracic duct ligation and pericardectomy has been performed for many years. However, without good evidence of pericardial disease, the pericardectomy may not be necessary. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of doing a complete thoracic duct ligation alone in resolving chyle accumulation and provide a better understanding of the physiological response to thoracic duct ligation in dogs with idiopathic chylothorax.    

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TRIAL UPDATES
Clinical Trials that are "On Hold" 
  • Assessing a Novel Treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease in Dogs
  • 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 a New Treatment for Pemphigus Foliaceus in Dogs
  • 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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