CSU Animal Cancer Center Clinical Trial

Patient Disease:
Any.

Study Name:
Metronomic cyclophosphamide combined with carboplatin for dogs with cancer.

Purpose of the Study:
Chemotherapy typically is administered at maximally tolerated (high) doses at regular intervals. Although the chemotherapy drug kills rapidly growing cancer cells, some normal cells (such as those in the bone marrow and intestines) are also affected and a recovery period is needed for these tissues to renew themselves. Unfortunately, this gap in treatment can allow the cancer cells time to grow as well. Research in mice and people has also shown that high-dose chemotherapy may also stimulate production of cells such as circulating endothelial cells (CECs) that likely help tumors develop a new blood supply (angiogenesis) and lead to further growth of the tumor. Metronomic, or daily low dose, chemotherapy has been shown to decrease angiogenesis, thereby decreasing the growth and spread of the cancer cells. The chemotherapy drug cyclophosphamide is frequently used in metronomic chemotherapy protocols; this drug is administered orally at home and is associated with minimal side effects. The goal of this study is to determine whether metronomic cyclophosphamide can safely be combined with maximally tolerated doses of carboplatin and if this combination will decrease the levels of circulating endothelial cells in dogs with cancer.

Patient Entry Criteria:
Dogs with any type of cancer that are starting treatment with carboplatin chemotherapy 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). 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. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are allowable while on study provided the dog has been receiving the drug from >14 days.

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 cyclophosphamide therapy will be provided free of charge for the duration of the study. The study will also pay for cost of the first dose of carboplatin (drug only, ~$150), the first three recheck exams, and all blood work and urinalyses. Owners are responsible for all associated costs of carboplatin chemotherapy after the first dose (~$300-350/dose) and any other tests or treatments recommended by the oncology clinician.

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.