Autogenic Vaccine Study in Dogs with Glioma (Now Recruiting!)

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.

• 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 to remove a piece of the tumor.  They will be hospitalized as needed for supportive care to recover after the surgery. Tissue collected will have RNA extracted to be used to prepare the study vaccine.  The vaccine will be given 3 times starting 2 weeks after the biopsy.  Each vaccine will be given 1 week apart.  After the first vaccination, there will also be a lymph node removal performed, to evaluate treatment efficacy. Your dog will remain in the hospital for a minimum of 6 hours after each vaccine for monitoring.   At each visit, samples will be collected for safety assessment.  
• Cost: The study will cover the cost of the CT guided biopsy and lymph node removal procedures (as well as associated anesthesia and recovery), study vaccines, sample collection and analysis.  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.