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Colorado Animal Specialty & Emergency (CASE)

Clinical Studies

Autologous Canine Cancer Vaccine with Checkpoint Inhibitor for Treatment of Osteosarcoma

CLOSED

SUMMARY OF STUDY:

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of K9-ACV, an autologous killed tumor cell vaccine combined with a novel checkpoint inhibitor (CD200AR-L), compared to standard-of-care carboplatin chemotherapy for the treatment of canine appendicular osteosarcoma (OSA). K9-ACV has safely been used in over 2,000 dogs, and the vaccine has been shown to display safety and efficacy in a previous study (without the addition of the checkpoint inhibitor). By evaluating K9-ACV, this trial aims to advance safer, immune-based treatment options for canine cancer that may offer comparable or superior outcomes to chemotherapy.

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

  • Suspected of having osteosarcoma of the limb

  • Dogs >1 year of age and weighing more than 20 kg

  • Dogs cannot have received immune-modulating drugs (cyclosporine, Apoquel, Cytopoint, prednisone, chemotherapy) within 30 days of trial enrollment

  • No prior radiation or bisphosphonate (zoledronate or pamidronate) therapy

  • Confirmed non-metastatic appendicular osteosarcoma treated with amputation at CASE

  • The vaccine is produced from the dog's tumor.

FINANCIAL INCENTIVES:

Participating pet owners will receive:

  • Screening testing, including: blood work, urinalysis, chest x-rays, abdominal ultrasound

  • $4,000 towards the cost of surgery

  • Costs associated with rechecks, diagnostics, and treatment with K9-ACV and carboplatin treatment groups.

  • Side effects associated with K9-ACV treatment.

Dogs randomized to the carboplatin treatment group will be responsible for the cost of supportive care medications and associated side effects.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Participating patients will be required to complete standard pre-enrollment screening that involves a physical exam, blood work, radiographs, and an ultrasound. If the patient passes the screening, they will undergo limb amputation and be assigned to the K9-ACV group or the carboplatin group. Patients in the K9-ACV group will receive an intradermal injection of the checkpoint inhibitor and then will return to the study site 24 hours later for the vaccine administration. This will occur in a series of three with 21 days in between. Patients will return at 4, 6, and 8 months after initial vaccine administration for a physical exam, blood work, and radiographs. Patients in the carboplatin group will receive four treatments of chemotherapy with 21 days in between. Patients will return at 4, 6, and 8 months after initial carboplatin treatment for a physical exam, blood work, and radiographs.

PET OWNER RESOURCES:

More recently in the human field, studies are being designed to combine personalized vaccines and checkpoint inhibitors.

Personalized Vaccine for Liver Cancer Shows Promise in Clinical Trial

Ardent K9-ACV Approach

University of Minnesota Approach

INTERESTED?

Email: [email protected]