Autogenic Vaccine Study in Dogs with Glioma

Rocco, a boxer, with Dr. Sheila Carrera-Justiz and Lana Fagman.
Rocco, a boxer, is shown with Dr. Sheila Carrera-Justiz and Lana Fagman, clinical trials coordinator. Boxers are one of several brachycephalic breeds that glioma tumors commonly affect.

The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine is currently recruiting dogs with suspect glioma for a clinical research trial.  This investigational trial is for the development of a vaccine for the future treatment of glioma in dogs.

***Enrollment is currently ON HOLD***

  • Inclusion Criteria: Any dog with suspect malignant glioma based on previous MRI and does not have other life threatening diseases and has not received any previous treatment for the tumor.  More specific inclusion criteria will be discussed with you during your pet’s evaluation.
  • Treatment:  Your dog will have a CT-guided tumor biopsy.  Tissue collected will be used to prepare the vaccine.   The vaccine will be given 3 times starting 2 weeks after the biopsy.  Each vaccine will be given 1 week apart.  Your dog will remain in the hospital for a minimum of 6 hours after each vaccine for monitoring.   At each visit, blood and urine will also be collected.  Your dog will have 2 recheck MRIs at week 5 and week 9.  Your dog’s total time of participation is expected to be 6 visits over approximately 12 weeks.
  • Cost: The study will cover the cost of the biopsy procedure, vaccine, blood and urine sample collection and analysis, follow up MRIs and the associated anesthesia.  Other costs related to your visit will be discussed with you during the evaluation appointment.
  • Contact: Please complete the Study Interest Form to see if your dog qualifies, or contact the Neurology Staff at the Small Animal Hospital 352-392-2235
  • PI: Dr. Sheila Carrera-Justiz

Background:

Glioblastoma (GBM), a type of malignant glioma, is an almost uniformly lethal brain tumor in humans, with 50% of people surviving less than 15 months.  Dogs spontaneously develop malignant gliomas and there is no easily accessible, reliable treatment option available to dogs and this disease is terminal in all dogs.  Because of this, dogs represent a spontaneously occurring model for treatment trials.  This trial represents an investigational therapy with the potential to treat terminal brain tumors in dogs.

IFAS

As part of both the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and the Academic Health Center, Veterinary Medicine is dedicated to advancing animal, human and environmental health through teaching, research, extension and patient care.

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