College of Veterinary Medicine
a dog getting a hug

Canine Osteosarcoma Trial

Clinical, Molecular, and Immune Characterization of Naturally-Occuring Osteosarcoma in Dogs

Principal Investigator

Dr. Michael Childress, Professor of Comparative Oncology 

Background

Osteosarcoma (OS) commonly occurs in the leg bones of large and giant breed dogs, such as Rottweilers, Saint Bernards, and Greyhounds.  The standard treatment of OS involves surgical amputation of the affected leg followed by chemotherapy, which extends survival time for most dogs, while also preserving a good quality of life.  However, up to 1/3 of dogs treated this way will die of cancer spread within 4-6 months, a time frame that is not much different from that of dogs treated by amputation only. 

To better understand the biological factors affecting this variability in survival time, we are enrolling dogs with OS in a study where they will be treated with amputation only.  Dogs in this study may not receive chemotherapy or other tumor-targeting therapies after undergoing amputation.  The dogs will be observed periodically at Purdue until the time of natural death or euthanasia due to OS.  Tumor tissue samples, blood samples, and stool samples will be collected from these dogs at several time points to determine how the genetic makeup of the cancer, the immune system, and fecal microorganisms (i.e., “microbiome”) interact to affect the clinical aggressiveness of OS.  This is a multi-institutional study currently being conducted at several US veterinary colleges.

Eligibility for Dogs to Participate in the Study

  • Histopathologically or cytologically confirmed OS of a long bone on the leg (humerus, radius, ulna, femur, tibia)
    • Note that dogs can be enrolled based upon how the tumor appears on x-rays if previous attempts at biopsy or cytology were non-diagnostic
  • Minimum body weight 25 kg (55 lbs.)
  • Dogs must be able to walk well on 3 limbs, as determined by veterinarians at Purdue
  • No evidence of cancer spread seen on baseline chest x-rays or abdominal sonogram
  • Dogs must be generally healthy and capable to taking care of their basic needs (eating, drinking, urinating and defecating in appropriate places) at home
  • Dogs must not have received prior treatment for osteosarcoma, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, investigational therapies, or bisphosphonate drugs (e.g., zoledronate, pamidronate)
  • Dogs can be enrolled in the trial if they have previously been treated with medications for pain, including NSAIDs (e.g. Rimadyl, Deramaxx, Previcox, Metacam)

Exclusion Criteria

  • Current use of medications that affect the function of the immune system
    • Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone, dexamethasone)
    • Apoquel
    • Cyclosporine
    • Mycophenolate
  • Significant comorbid disease that precludes safe anesthesia for surgery or may affect overall survival time
    • Includes, but is not limited to, congestive heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms requiring medication, clinical bleeding disorders, liver failure, or kidney failure
  • Hematocrit <25%
  • Platelets <100,000/ul
  • Clinically significant abnormalities on baseline blood tests (as determined by veterinarians at Purdue)

Financial Support

  • The cost of baseline screening tests at Purdue to determine eligibility for the trial is capped at $100
  • All costs related to the clinical trial are fully covered.

Trial Status

Actively Recruiting

Questions

Call Dr. Michael Childress at 765-494-1107 or the Clinical Trial Nurses, Lindsey Fourez or Araynna Holland, at 765-494-1130. Please leave a message for call back.