CSU Animal Cancer Center Clinical Trial

Patient Disease:
Mast cell tumor.

Study Name:
Treatment of mast cell tumors with palladia and CCNU.

Purpose of the study:
Mast cells are found in tissues throughout the body, and mast cell tumors are the most common skin tumor in dogs. Treatment for mast cell tumors may involve surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy.

CCNU (also known as lomustine) is a chemotherapy drug that has been used in the treatment of mast cell tumors in dogs. Palladia is the first veterinary anti-cancer drug. It acts to stop the effects of an enzyme involved in the growth of cancer cells. Palladia has been used in other clinical trials to treat dogs with mast cell tumors, sarcomas, carcinomas and melanoma. The purpose of this study is to determine if using Palladia in combination with CCNU will have better anti-tumor effect for dogs with mast cell tumors than CCNU used as a sole treatment.

Patient Entry Criteria:
Certain criteria determine patient eligibility. Dogs with microscopically confirmed, measurable mast cell tumors are potentially eligible for this study. Spread of the cancer (known as "metastasis") is allowed, if the patient is expected to survive at least 6 weeks. Patients must be free of other severe diseases. Dogs must undergo some diagnostic testing prior to starting the study to ensure that they are eligible. They must have good function of liver and kidneys and have acceptable blood cell counts.

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 financially responsible for the cost of tests to diagnose mast cell tumor (for example, needle biopsy or surgical biopsy), blood work, urinalysis, chest X-rays and any other tests recommended by your pet's oncologist prior to entry into the trial. Owners are responsible for administering Palladia as well as any other medication prescribed by the primary clinician and advising of any changes or adverse effects.

Financial Incentives:
Clients participating in this study will be given special financial considerations. Once enrolled, all costs related to the study will be covered except for the recheck exam fee.

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.