The continued support of the Ann and Lawrence G. Laiks Canine Cancer Fund has allowed the Flint Animal Cancer Center to conduct impactful research that promises to make a big difference for dogs fighting cancer. 

Lifelong learners and lovers of science, the late Dr. and Mrs. Laiks created the Ann and Lawrence G. Laiks Canine Cancer Fund in honor of their love for their dogs and their commitment to advancing cancer treatments for all canines. 

Committed to making a difference for pets fighting cancer, Dr. Laiks created the Dr. Larry and Ann Laiks Charitable Trust in his legacy planning. He directed distributions to be split between the Flint Animal Cancer Center at CSU and the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences/Oncology at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida. This fund provides annual support for these two programs in perpetuity.

In the two years since the Ann and Lawrence G. Laiks Canine Cancer Fund was created, the FACC has begun many research projects and clinical trials that promise to provide valuable information about a variety of common canine cancers. 

As of today, the Ann and Lawrence G. Laiks Canine Cancer Fund is supporting six in-progress clinical trials. We’re proud to share updates about these studies – 

Targeted Agents Study

The Single Dose Plasma Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Targeted Anticancer Agents in Tumor-Bearing Dogs study is in full swing. This is a pharmacokinetic study of targeted anticancer agents in canine clinical patients. Our goal is to determine if the anticancer agents available to human patients can reach adequate blood levels in dogs fighting cancer. 

To date, a total of five agents (drugs) have been identified to include in the study. Of these five, we have analyzed four: palbociclib, crizotinib, olaparib, and bortezomib, and have administered them to patients.  

Once a patient has received the drug, our team has analyzed drug levels in the patients’ blood to determine if the dosage levels are adequate to fight cancer. We are continuing to study the other agents in additional enrollees. 

The hope for this study is to help us find new cancer-fighting drugs that are viable for canines with a variety of cancers including Canine Lymphoma, Carcinoma, Histiocytic Sarcoma, Mast Cell Tumor, Nasal Carcinoma, Oral Melanoma, Osteosarcoma, and Soft Tissue Sarcoma. Read more about the study here. 

Canine Nasal Cancer Radiation Study 

Canine nasal cancer is all too common and exceedingly hard to treat. Our team is investigating new treatment methods that will give dogs a fighting chance to beat this terrible disease. The Lattice Radiation Therapy’s Effect on the Immune Response in Canine Sinonasal Carcinoma clinical trial is evaluating a new radiation dose delivery method (lattice dose distribution) to enhance the dose to the tumor while sparing the local tumor immune response.   

Lattice radiation is a method by which the radiation dose is varied throughout the tumor to better deliver radiation to certain spots. The idea is that it fights the cancer while also sparing as much normal tissue as possible to allow the body’s natural immune response to kick in. 

To date, we’ve completed enrollment of dogs in the first cohort of the study. One dog had a progression-free survival period of three months, followed by an overall survival of seven months. The second dog is still alive a year later. 

Two dogs will be enrolled in the next cohort. Samples collected from the nasal cavity to assess immune changes will be analyzed after all patients have been completed. Preliminary results have been presented at four different scientific conferences, including the World Veterinary Cancer Congress in Tokyo, Japan.  

Read more about this study here. 

Gilvetmab + Toceranib Study

Canine mast cell tumors are another fairly common cancer diagnosis. The Combination Therapy with Gilvetmab and Toceranib in Dogs with Mast Cell Tumors study is underway to find better treatment options for this cancer. 

The purpose of this clinical trial is to characterize anti-tumor response and adverse side effects of this two-drug combination using Gilvaemab (immunotherapy) combined with Palladia (targeted therapy) for the treatment of canine mast cell tumors. 

This study opened for enrollment with the goal of enrolling 18 dogs. Eight dogs have been enrolled thus far. Our primary goal for the next six months is to continue enrolling and treating patients on the study protocol. Our hope is to find that this drug combination proves to be successful for animals fighting mast cell tumors. Read more about this study here. 

Gilvetmab Radiation Therapy Study

Part of cancer research is trial and error. We have another clinical trial for mass cell tumors to see if a different treatment protocol is more successful than others. The Combination Radiation Therapy and Gilvetmab for the Treatment of Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs is one such study. 

The purpose of this trial is to evaluate the combination of Gilvetmab (immunotherapy) and hypofractionated radiation for the treatment of canine mast cell tumors. The goal is to see if this treatment combination provides additional anti-cancer results than just radiation therapy or immunotherapy alone. 

We currently have 16 dogs enrolled, with just two spots left. After the enrollment of the 12th patient, we evaluated outcomes and saw positive response.

To date, there has been no increase in radiation side effects with the combination. We hope to see that this combination is a powerful treatment modality for dogs fighting this cancer type. Find more information about the study here. 

Carboplatin for Bone Pain Study

Unfortunately, bone cancer in dogs is a very painful disease. In addition to fighting cancer, we aim to find ways to reduce the pain associated with osteosarcoma. The Effect of Intravenous Carboplatin on Pain Control in Dogs with Appendicular Osteosarcoma study aims to do just that – control the pain for animals fighting this terrible disease. 

The goal of this study is to determine the effects of carboplatin chemotherapy on measures of pain, including lameness, activity, and sleep quality, in dogs with osteosarcoma of the limb. This is an important step in determining if the drug, carboplatin, is adequate to reduce pain. 

Since July 2024, we have enrolled three additional dogs, bringing the study enrollment to six of the 10 planned dogs. Enrollment will continue in the next six months. Our hope is that this drug reduces pain and improves the quality of life for those fighting osteosarcoma. Read more about this study here. 

Palliative Radiation Alone or in Combination with Zoledronate or Carboplatin for Bone Pain

In an effort to find more successful treatment options, we’ve added a third arm to the osteosarcoma study. This study is designed to evaluate palliative radiation in combination with other treatment types to maximize pain relief for canine patients fighting the very painful disease, osteosarcoma (bone cancer). 

We currently have 26 dogs enrolled. The plan is to continue enrollment to include a total of 30 dogs. At the completion of enrollment, we will assess the response to palliative radiation therapy alone or in combination with either of the two therapies to determine the best course of pain management for dogs presenting with presumed osteosarcoma and seeking palliative options. Read more about the study here. 

All of these foundational studies are made possible thanks to the Dr. Larry and Ann Laiks Charitable Trust. Our long-term vision is to continue to build on these clinical trials with further iterations of these studies to help us find more and better treatment options for canine cancer patients. 

Dr. Laiks desired to use the funds to achieve the greatest advancements in research and treatment for canine cancers. We’re proud to be doing just that at the Flint Animal Cancer Center.