A pilot study to determine the safety and efficacy of CBD oil use during chemotherapy in dogs with lymphoma

The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine is currently recruiting dogs with lymphoma being treated using a standard chemotherapy protocol for a clinical research trial.  This investigational trial is to determine if a specific cannabidiol oil has any effect on the blood concentrations of the drugs that your dog is currently on and if this CBD oil has the ability to improve the quality of life of your dog while undergoing a common chemotherapy protocol.

Enrollment Status: Closed

  • Inclusion Criteria: Any dog over 15 kg that has lymphoma that is being treated using a standard chemotherapy protocol for the cancer. Patients will be assessed with a physical examination, complete blood cell count (CBC), chemistry panel, and urinalysis (UA) prior to starting the study. More specific inclusion criteria will be discussed with you during your pet’s Medical Oncology evaluation.
  • Treatment: Patients receiving chemotherapy for lymphoma will be randomized to receive either placebo or CBD oil starting at week 4 (CHOP) or 5 (L-CHOP) of a doxorubicin-based chemotherapy protocol and continue for 5 weeks. Dogs will receive one of the oils every 12 hours (twice a day treatment every day). The doses will be rounded up or down to be the closest to intended dosing, based on size of capsules available (25mg capsules). The oil will be in capsules as will the placebo. The oils can be given with food or can be given separately depending on preference, but it is recommended to give the oil at mealtime in the morning and in the evening about 12 hours apart. During the study period, dogs enrolled in the study will be required to come in for weekly visits at the same time as regular chemotherapy visits.
  • Costs: The study will cover some costs including bloodwork and urinalysis, as well as study sample testing. No other diagnostic testing, imaging or procedures will be covered by the study. All placebo oils and cannabinoid nutraceutical oils will be free of charge for the duration of the study. If you feel that your dog is benefiting from the oil that is being tested, you can purchase it on-line commercially after the study.
  • Contact:  You can contact our Small Animal Hospital Medical Oncology Service at 352 392 2235 or email VM-ClinicalStudies@ufl.edu.
  • Principal Investigator: Amandine Lejeune, DVM, DACVIM

Background:

Lymphoma is one of the most commonly diagnosed hematopoietic cancers in dogs. The most common chemotherapy protocol used for this disease is a doxorubicin-based multidrug protocol (L-asparaginase, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone). Currently the treatment of lymphoma holds the potential for side effects which include vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy associated with the treatment. The use of hemp products including marijuana and cannabidiol (CBD) for medical conditions are becoming much more common for both people and pets. The use of nutraceuticals rich in cannabidiol (CBD) to help alleviate pain and improve quality of life as a global anti-inflammatory has been utilized, but poorly studied to date.

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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