Current Clinical Trials
CARE Trial:
Combined Autophagy inhibition with Radiation therapy to improve Efficacy in canine glioma
NCI/NIH R01CA294557 PI: Yuanpei Li, Co-I: Christine Toedebusch
This study aims to determine if a new experimental drug for dogs diagnosed with glioma, a type of brain tumor, is safe and feasible for brain tumor patients.
The experimental drug works by blocking a process that cancer cells use to protect themselves and survive. By stopping this process while dogs are also receiving radiation therapy, we hope to improve how well the tumor responds to treatment.
The main goals of this study are to:
- Make sure the drug is safe for dogs
- See whether the drug can reach brain tumors after intravenous infusion
- Learn whether the treatment may help dogs live longer
The experimental drug works by blocking a process that cancer cells use to protect themselves and survive. By stopping this process while dogs are also receiving radiation therapy, we hope to improve how well the tumor responds to treatment.
What does participation involve?
Dogs in the study will:
- Have a brain tumor biopsy at the start of the study
- Receive the experimental drug twice a week for four weeks
- Receive standard radiation therapy at the same time
- Have a brain tumor biopsy after treatment is complete
All dogs will be closely monitored by a veterinary neuro-oncology team throughout their participation.
Interested in Learning More?
If you would like more information or want to find out whether your dog may be eligible, please contact:
[email protected]
PRISM Trial:
Precision Research Integrating Symptoms and Molecular Biology in Canine Glioma
NCI/NIH R37CA309054 PI: Christine Toedebusch
This study aims to track how canine gliomas progress over time and use detailed genetic and immune profiling to identify tumor subtypes that could guide more personalized treatments for affected dogs.
There is a lot we do not understand about gliomas in dogs. We’ve found that tumors can differ in their genetic makeup, the types of immune cells that enter them, and even how long affected dogs live. This study aims to follow dogs throughout their illness to learn how quickly their tumors grow and how the disease progresses over time.
By combining this clinical information with detailed analyses of each tumor’s genes and immune characteristics, we hope to identify different types (or “subtypes”) of gliomas. Our long-term goal is to develop more personalized, targeted treatments—similar to precision medicine in human cancer care—to help dogs with these tumors.
The main goals of this study are to:
- Track how the disease progresses in dogs who have not received treatment or are treated with radiation therapy.
- Study how the tumor's biological features (including tissue type, genetics, and immune profile) affect how long dogs remain stable before their disease worsens.
What does participation involve?
Dogs in the study will:
- Have a brain tumor biopsy at the start of the study
- Receive monthly check-ups and brain MRI scans
- May receive radiation, depending on the owner’s wishes
All dogs will be closely monitored by a veterinary neuro-oncology team throughout their participation.
Interested in Learning More?
If you would like more information or want to find out whether your dog may be eligible, please contact:
[email protected]
Referring Veterinarians
Referring veterinarians are essential partners in the success of the Translational Brain Tumor Center. You are often the first to recognize the signs of neurological disease and play a critical role in guiding patients and their families to specialized care. Through your collaboration, we are able to reach dogs earlier in the course of disease, collect more meaningful data, and deliver advanced treatment options that improve outcomes. We value the trust and communication shared with our referring veterinarians—it is your partnership that helps us to provide seamless, coordinated care and advance discoveries that benefit both animal and human health.
For more information on referrals, please visit the primary referral information page.
Contact:
Jenny Dutton, Referral Coordinator
(530) 752-3057
Clients
Clients please visit our main hospital client resources page, where you can get more information and schedule an appoitment.