Palliative Radiation Therapy With or Without Bisphosphonates or Carboplatin for Dogs with Osteosarcoma

Patient Disease:

Canine Osteosarcoma

Study Name:

Palliative Radiation Therapy With or Without Bisphosphonates or Carboplatin for Dogs with Osteosarcoma

Purpose of the study:

  • To determine whether the addition of bisphosphonates or carboplatin chemotherapy provides improved pain relief from bone tumors compared to palliative radiation alone

Primary Eligibility Criteria:

  • Biopsy/cytology-confirmed or highly suspected diagnosis of osteosarcoma of the leg with lameness present; must be able to bear weight on limb
  • Adequate blood work to allow for repeated anesthetic events and safe administration of carboplatin or zoledronate
  • No radiation therapy to limb in last 3 months; 30-day washout from bisphosphonates or chemotherapy
  • Must be on standard oral pain control regimen for 7 days prior to starting study
  • No suspected/confirmed spread of disease to bone
  • Pets must come to CSU for all visits related to the clinical trial

Study Protocol:

  • All dogs receive standard treatment with palliative radiation (two treatments given on consecutive days) and are randomized to receive either zoledronate, carboplatin, or a placebo
  • Activity monitor placement, orthopedic exam, and force plate gait analysis performed prior to treatment and then 2 and 3 weeks after treatment
  • Complete blood count performed on Day 14, and kidney values checked at Day 21

Owner Responsibilities:

  • Owners are responsible for the activity monitor while around your dog’s neck and for keeping a record of any activities that you do with your dog (i.e. if you go to the dog park you will need to keep a note of the date and time)
  • To make and keep all appointments associated with the study
  • Owners are responsible for any costs related to management of treatment adverse events as well as the cost of pain medications

Financial Incentives:

  • Once the dog is enrolled, the study will cover the cost of gait analysis, activity monitoring, general anesthesia, palliative radiation therapy, bisphosphonate or carboplatin administration, and recheck exams

If you have further questions about any of our clinical trials, please submit an online consult form. Your consult will then be directed to our trials team. Requests are typically returned within 5 business days.

flint animal cancer center newsletter

join our community

Be among the first to learn the latest Flint Animal Cancer Center news and pet cancer treatment information.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.