College of Veterinary Medicine

Canine B-cell Lymphoma Clinical Trials

Phase I Dose Escalation Trial of Combination CHOP Chemotherapy in dogs with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

 

Principal Investigator

Dr. Michael Childress, Professor of Comparative Oncology

Background

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of lymphoma affecting dogs and humans. It is typically treated with “CHOP” chemotherapy protocols incorporating the drugs c yclophosphamide, doxorubicin ( h ydroxydaunorubicin), vincristine ( O ncovin), and p prednisone. Historically, CHOP has cured about 30-40% of humans with DLBCL, but less than 1-2% of dogs. This disparity in cure rates may be due in part to the manner in which CHOP has been given: humans with DLBCL receive all of the drugs in CHOP all on the same day, whereas dogs receive the drugs one at a time at weekly intervals. The purpose of this trial is to determine whether dogs with DLBCL can be safely treated with CHOP chemotherapy in which all 4 drugs are given on the same day. Dogs enrolled in this trial will receive combined CHOP chemotherapy once every 3 weeks up to a maximum of 5 treatments.

Eligibility for Dogs to Participate in the Study

  • Histopathologically-confirmed DLBCL, or DLBCL that is strongly suspected based upon other diagnostic testing
  • Minimum body weight 20 kg (44 lbs)
  • Adequate baseline bone marrow function
    • Neutrophils ≥2,500/ml
    • Platelets ≥75,000/ml
    • Hematocrit ≥25%
  • Adequate kidney and liver function
    • Serum creatinine concentration within reference range
    • Serum ALT ≤4X upper limit of reference range
    • Serum bilirubin concentration within reference range
  • Adequate cardiorespiratory function
    • Heart and lungs appear normal on thoracic radiographs
    • Normal electrocardiogram (ECG)
    • Boxers, Great Danes, and Doberman Pinschers must also have a normal echocardiogram
  • Dogs with previously treated DLBCL (including dogs treated with glucocorticoids) may be eligible for the trial, so long as they meet the other criteria outlined above and have not received any myelosuppressive chemotherapy for ≥14 days.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Lymphoma of a type other than DLBCL
  • Body weight <20 kg (44 lbs)
  • Severe lymphoma-related illness not encompassed by organ function requirements listed above
  • Dogs with high breed-related risk for carrying the ABCB1-1D (MDR1) mutation will be excluded unless documented to be homozygous for the wild type allele of this gene. This includes, but is not limited to the breeds listed below. These dogs are at increased risk for serious side effects of chemotherapy. For more information, see: https://prime.vetmed.wsu.edu/2021/10/19/breeds-commonly-affected-by-mdr1-mutation/
    • Collie
    • Australian shepherd
    • Shetland sheepdog

Financial Support

  • The cost of eligibility screening (including lymph node biopsy) for dogs enrolled in the trial will be capped at $500
  • The cost of each chemotherapy treatment (up to a maximum of 5) will be capped at $100
  • The cost of medical care required to treat side effects of chemotherapy will be fully covered by the study, if care is provided at the Purdue Veterinary Hospital .

Trial start date

Currently recruiting

For questions, please call

Dr. Michael Childress or Dr. Olivia Geels at (765) 494-1107.

 

Biodynamic Imaging (BDI) as a Promising Strategy for Personalized Therapy of Canine Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma

 

Primary Investigator

Dr. Michael Childress, Professor of Comparative Oncology

Background

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common type of lymphoma in dogs, is associated with varying degrees of clinical aggressiveness. The standard treatment for DLBCL, combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (i.e. “CHOP”) affords cancer remission to 80-90% of affected dogs and significantly extends survival in most cases. However, some dogs with DLBCL derive little benefit from CHOP, a therapy that is expensive and may produce serious side effects in some dogs. Methods to accurately predict which dogs are and are not likely to benefit from CHOP are therefore desirable. We have recently shown that a novel tumor tissue imaging technology called biodynamic imaging (BDI) predicts the responsiveness of canine DLBCL to CHOP with approximately 84% accuracy. The purpose of this study will be to expand the use of BDI in a larger population of dogs with DLBCL to more fully define its predictive capability. Tissue biopsy samples will be collected from all dogs in this study prior to administering chemotherapy and at the time that their cancer first relapses after receiving chemotherapy. These biopsy samples will be analyzed using BDI in order to develop a more complete understanding of the ability of this technology to predict the response of DLBCL in dogs to CHOP chemotherapy.

Eligibility for Dogs to Participate in the Study

  • Cytologically-confirmed lymphoma primarily affecting peripheral lymph nodes
  • At least one peripheral lymph node ≥2 cm in longest diameter
  • Expected survival time of ≥ 4 weeks with treatment
  • No prior therapy for the lymphoma, including corticosteroids such as prednisone and dexamethasone

Exclusion Criteria

  • Confirmed or suspected T-cell lymphoma or lymphoma other than DLBCL
    • Dogs with hypercalcemia
    • Dogs with cranial mediastinal masses
    • Dogs at high risk for T-cell lymphoma – Boxer, Asian/Arctic breeds (unless confirmed to have DLBCL by histopathology)
    • Lymphoma originating at extranodal sites (e.g. mediastinum, skin, gastrointestinal tract)
    • Dogs at risk for the ABCB1-1D mutation (p-glycoprotein mutation)
      • Collie, Border collie, Shetland sheepdog, Australian shepherd, Old English sheepdog
      • These dogs are at increased risk for adverse reactions to cancer chemotherapy drug treatment, and may not tolerate standard drug doses used in CHOP
      • Dogs weighing <15 kg
      • Dogs displaying significant lymphoma-associated illness (i.e. “substage B”) or with serious comorbid diseases
      • Dogs that have received prior chemotherapy (including prednisone or other corticosteroids) or radiation therapy to treat their lymphoma

Financial Support

  • The cost of initial tumor biopsy is discounted by $250.
  • The cost of tumor biopsy at the time of cancer relapse is fully covered by the study.
  • CHOP chemotherapy is provided at a discounted rate to dogs enrolled in this study.

Trial Start Date

Currently ongoing

For Questions, Please Call

Ms. Araynna Holland, RVT at 765-494-1107