Grant Amount: $93,140

Dr. Michael Deveau, DVM, MS, Texas A&M Research Foundation

January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2013

Sponsor(s): American Foxhound Club, American German Shepherd Dog Charitable Foundation, Inc., American Spaniel Club Foundation, Clumber Spaniel Club of America, English Setter Association of America, Inc., Keeshond Anonymous Fund, Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America, Yorkshire Terrier Club of America Foundation, Inc.

Breed(s): Akita, American Foxhound, Bloodhound, Border Collie, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, Irish Water Spaniel, Kerry Blue Terrier, Newfoundland, Sealyham Terrier, Tibetan Terrier

Disease(s): Lymphoma

Research Program Area: Oncology - Lymphoma

Abstract

Lymphoma is one of the most common neoplasms in canine companion animals accounting for upwards of 25% of all canine cancer. Chemotherapy results in high remissions rates but poor overall survival even with aggressive therapy. Lymphoma is extremely radiosensitive; however, incorporating full and half-body radiation therapy results in harmful toxicity to health tissue. In human medicine, full and half-body radiation has been abandoned for advanced Involved-Field Radiotherapy (IFRT) techniques utilizing advanced radiotherapy systems designed to kill diseased tissue while sparing normal tissues. As the technology becomes available in veterinary medicine, this treatment capability will also become available; however, there are no studies in the veterinary literature specifically interrogating this strategy. While demonstrable benefit is the ultimate clinical endpoint, it is critical to ensure safe implementation of IFRT for use in canine patients. To test feasibility and safety, Dr. Deveau will conduct a phase I study in which patients with advanced stage lymphoma will be treated with IFRT. Patients will be subjected to rigorous evaluation at each treatment and at one month intervals for dose limiting toxicities and/or adverse events, with the goal being to determine whether IFRT is a viable option for treatment of lymphoma in dogs.

Publication(s)

None at this time.