CSU Animal Cancer Center Clinical Trial

Patient Disease:
Any with measurable disease.

Study Name:
Hydroxychloroquine to enhance doxorubicin effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:
This clinical trial is designed to evaluate a form of treatment for dogs with cancer using a combination of the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and the chemotherapy agent doxorubicin (DOX). Recent studies suggest that HCQ can sensitize human tumor cells to the anti-cancer effect of DOX. Recent studies in dogs with skin disease have demonstrated that long-term HCQ treatment appears to be well-tolerated.  The combination of these two treatments has not been explored in canine cancer patients. The goal of this study is to determine the maximum tolerated dose of HCQ that can be administered to tumor-bearing dogs when followed by a standard dose of DOX.

Patient Entry Criteria:
Dogs with any type of measurable cancer are eligible for this study. Dogs must undergo some diagnostic testing prior to starting the study to ensure that they are eligible (bloodwork, x-rays, +/- ultrasound, +/- tumor biopsy). They must have good function of the liver and kidneys and acceptable blood cell counts. No concurrent cancer therapy can be given during the study, and a 3-week washout from prior chemotherapy and 6-week washout from prior radiation therapy is required.  Owners must consent to a post-mortem examination (autopsy) at the time their pet dies or is euthanized.

Owner Responsibilities:
The owner is responsible for scheduling appointments with the oncology clinical trials coordinator and keeping those appointments as required by study protocol. The owner is responsible for the costs of diagnosis and staging of the tumor prior to entering the study.

Financial Incentives:
Clients participating in this study will be given special financial considerations. Specifically, the study will pay for many of the costs associated with the study, including recheck examinations, tumor biopsies for the study, and study-related blood tests. The HCQ and DOX are also provided at no cost. The costs of DOX administration and recheck imaging tests such as x-rays or ultrasound, if necessary to determine treatment effectiveness, are the responsibility of the owners.

If you have further questions about any of our clinical trials, please complete an online consult request form below or call or Oncology Clinical Coordinator at (970) 297-4068.