Clinical trials and collaborative research in surgical oncology are actively encouraged by the VSSO. Prospective clinical trials are preferred, but multi-institutional retrospective case series will also be strongly considered. Research projects can include, but are not limited to, the study of new surgical techniques, multimodality treatment protocols, novel adjuvant agents, and treatment outcomes for different tumor types.
Research Proposal Submission
Requests for more information and proposal submissions can be directed to Dr. Brandan Janssens, Chair of the VSSO Research Committee,
by clicking on the link below.
OPEN RESEARCH TRIALS
The effects of lymph node extirpation on long-term prognosis of non-metastatic canine oral malignant melanoma.
Lead investigator: Dr. Judith Bertran
Aims and objectives of the study:
To compare the disease progression rates, survival times of two treatment groups of nonmetastatic canine oral malignant melanoma (Stage I and Stage II with N0)— (1) primary tumor/local surgical excision (group 1) versus (2) primary tumor removal with non-selective cervical LNs extirpation (group 2).
To determine complications related to non-selective lymph node extirpation of the cervical
lymph nodes (> or = of 3 LNs).
To evaluate the disease progression rate and survival times of a subgroup of dogs with OMM Stage I or II (with N0) that undergo a non-metastatic sentinel LN removal only.
We hypothesized that there would be a significant advantage of disease progression rates and survival times in the group where non-selective elective lymphadenectomy is performed.
Please contact Dr. Bertran for more details and for the data collection spreadsheet
2022
The effects of adjuvant vs. sole therapy with Palladia (tocernib phosphate) in canine gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST’s) on long term survival.
Lead investigator: Judith Bertran
The main purpose of the proposed study is to compare the treatment of GIST’s with surgery alone versus in a microscopic setting treated with a full course of Palladia versus in a gross tumor setting with Palladia to determine if there is a clinical benefit to treating GISTs with Palladia
Aims:
1.To compare the disease progression rates and survival times of 3 treatment groups of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs)— (1) surgery alone versus (2) surgery followed by Palladia (toceranib phosphate) versus (3) Palladia alone in a gross tumor setting.
2. To determine prognostic indicators associated with GISTs — previously described indicators of prognosis have not been consistent. These included mitotic index, tumor size, histopathologic subtype, and metastasis however these have not been consistent findings across all studies.
3. To determine GIST associated clinical signs, signalment, and most common locations of tumor.
Please contact Dr. Bertran for more details
2021
Outcomes and prognostic factors associated with surgical management of primary intramuscular hemangiosarcoma in dogs: A Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology retrospective case series.
Lead investigators: Dr. Ronan A. Mullins and Dr. Michail Vagias
Objectives of the study:
1) Describe the clinical outcome (progression free interval [PFI], recurrence rate and metastatic rate, and survival time [ST]) of dogs that underwent surgical excision (with or without adjuvant therapy) of primary intramuscular hemangiosarcoma (IMHSA).
2) Investigate factors associated with tumor recurrence and development of metastasis.
3) Investigate prognostic factors for progression free interval (PFI) and survival time (ST).
2021
Closed RESEARCH TRIALS
2020
Canine Buttock Sarcoma
Lead investigator: Dr. Sarah Boston
Aims and objectives:
1. To evaluate Soft Tissue Sarcomas that arise in the region of the Ischiatic Tuberosity as a distinct clinical entity
2. To evaluate outcome of surgical treatment
3. To evaluate factors that may influence DFI and ST after surgical treatment
4. Develop recommendations for resection, reconstruction and adjuvant therapy for canine buttock sarcomas
Please contact Dr. Boston for more details if needed and for the data collection spreadsheet.
• Outcomes and prognostic variables for dogs with visceral soft tissue sarcomas
Principle investigator: Dr. Dan Linden and Dr. Brad Matz
Linden D, Liptak JM, Vinayak A, Grimes JA, Sandey M, Smiley W, Matz BM. Outcomes and prognostic variables associated with primary abdominal visceral soft tissue sarcomas in dogs: A Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology retrospective study.Vet Comp Oncol. 2019 Jan 21
https://doi.org/10.1111/vco.12456
• Post-Surgical Outcome in dogs with gastric carcinoma
Principle investigator: Dr. Vincent Wavreille
Abrams B, Wavreille VA, Husbands BD, Matz BM, Massari F, Liptak JM, Cray MT, de Mello Souza CH, Wustefeld-Janssens BG, Oblak ML, Su L, Selmic L.Perioperative complications and outcome after surgery for treatment of gastric carcinoma in dogs: A Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology retrospective study of 40 cases (2004-2018). Veterinary Surgery. 2019 May 29.
2017
• Clinical findings, treatment and outcome in cats with sex-hormone secreting adrenal tumors leading to behavioral changes.
Principle investigator: Dr. Julia Sumner
Sumner JP, Hulsebosch SE, Dudley RM, Miller ML, Hayes GM. Sex-hormone producing adrenal tumors causing behavioral changes as the sole clinical sign in 3 cats. Canadian Veterinary Journal. 2019 Mar;60(3):305-310.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6380267/
• Total prostatectomy for the treatment of primary prostatic neoplasia in the dog.
Principle investigator: Dr. Tristram Bennett
Bennett TC, Matz BM, Henderson RA, Straw RC, Liptak JM, Selmic LE, Collivignarelli F, Buracco P.Total prostatectomy as a treatment for prostatic carcinoma in 25 dogs. Veterinary Surgery, 2018 Apr;47(3):367-377.
2016
• Assessment of survival advantage in dogs experiencing post-surgical infection following amputation for appendicular osteosarcoma
Principle investigator: Dr. Robert Dudley
Hans EC, Pinard C, van Nimwegen SA, Kirpensteijn J, Singh A, MacEachern S, Naber S, Dudley RM. Effect of surgical site infection on survival after limb amputation in the curative-intent treatment of canine appendicular osteosarcoma: a Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology retrospective study.Veterinary Surgery, 2018 Nov;47(8):E88-E96
2015
• Retrospective evaluation of surgical technique, complications and outcome associated with pneumonectomy in veterinary surgery
Principle investigator: Dr. Sarah Boston
Wavreille, V., Boston, S. E., Souza, C., Ham, K., Chanoit, G., Rossetti, D., Takacs, J. and Milner, R. (2016), Outcome After Pneumonectomy in 17 Dogs and 10 Cats: A Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology Case Series. Veterinary Surgery, 45: 782–78
https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.12517
• Retrospective evaluation of histopathologic results of medial retropharyngeal and mandibular lymph node extirpation for tumors of the head
Principle investigator: Dr. Janet Grimes
Grimes JA, Mestrinho LA, Berg J, Cass S, Oblak ML, Murphy S, Amsellem PM, Brown P, Hamaide A, Matz BM. Histologic evaluation of mandibular and medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes during staging of oral malignant melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma in dogs. JAVMA 2019 Apr 15;254(8):938-943
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.254.8.938
• Endoprosthesis
Principle investigator: Dr. Katherine Mitchell
Mitchell, K. E., Boston, S. E., Kung, M., Dry, S., Straw, R. C., Ehrhart, N. P. and Ryan, S. D. (2016), Outcomes of Limb-Sparing Surgery Using Two Generations of Metal Endoprosthesis in 45 Dogs With Distal Radial Osteosarcoma. A Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology Retrospective Study. Veterinary Surgery 45: 36–43
2014
2013
• Rectal tumor surgery
Principal investigator: Dr. Julius M. Liptak
Nucci DJ, Liptak JM, Selmic LE, Culp WTN, Durant AM, Worley D, Maritato KC, Thomson M, Annoni M, Singh A, Matz B, Benson J, Buracco P. Complications and outcomes following rectal pull-through surgery in dogs with rectal masses: 74 cases (2000-2013). JAVMA 2014;245:684-695
2012
• Dogs with apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma: effect of sublumbar lymph node metastasis on prognosis.
Principal investigator: Dr. Julius M. Liptak
Data analysis phase
• Osteosarcoma following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in dogs
Principal investigator: Dr. Laura Selmic
Selmic LE, Ryan SD, Boston SE, Liptak JM, Culp WTN, Sartor AJ, Prpich CY, Withrow SJ. Osteosarcoma following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in dogs: 29 cases (1997-2011). JAVMA 2014;244:1053-1059.
• The surgical treatment of canine splenic lymphoma
Principal investigator: Dr. Sarah Boston
van Stee LL, Boston SE, Singh A, Romanelli G, Rubio-Guzman A, Scase TJ. Outcome and Prognostic Factors for Canine Splenic Lymphoma Treated by Splenectomy (1995-2011).
• Canine primary appendicular hemangiosarcoma. Veterinary Surgery. 2015 Nov;44(8):976-82.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.12405
Principal investigator: Dr. Michelle Giuffrida
Giuffrida MA, Kamstock DA, Selmic LE, Pass W, Szivek A, Mison MB, Boston SE, Fox LE, Robat C, Grimes JA, Maritato KC, Bacon NJ. Primary appendicular hemangiosarcoma and telangiectatic osteosarcoma in 70 dogs: A Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology retrospective study. Veterinary Surgery. 2018 Aug;47(6):774-783
2011
• Evaluation of scapulectomy for primary bone tumors in dogs
Principal investigator: Dr. Sarah Boston
Montinaro V, Boston SE, Buracco P, Culp WTN, Romanelli G, Straw R, Ryan S. Evaluation of scapulectomy for primary bone tumors in 42 dogs. Veterinary Surgery 2013
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.2013.12066.x
• Appendicular osteosarcoma in dogs weighing less than 15kg
Principal investigator: Dr. Pierre Amsellem
Amsellem PM, Selmic LE, Wypij JM, Bacon NJ, Culp WTN, Ehrhart NP, Powers BE, Stryhn H, Farese JP. Appenidcular osteosarcoma in small-breed dogs: 51 cases (1986-2011). JAVMA 2014;245:203-210.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.245.2.203
• Retrospective review of splenic liposarcoma in dogs
Principal investigator: Dr. Julius Liptak
Gower KL, Liptak JM, Culp WT, Bravo L, Powers B, Withrow SJ. Splenic liposarcoma in dogs: 13 cases (2002-2012). JAVMA. 2015 Dec 15;247(12):1404-7.
2010
• Retrospective evaluation of dogs with tumor-related pathologic fracture treated with fracture fixation
Principal investigator: Dr. Sarah Boston
Boston SE, Bacon NJ, Culp WT, Bhandal J, Bruce C, Cavanaugh RP, Hamilton MH, Lincoln JD, Liptak JM, Scharvogel S. (2011). Outcome after repair of a sarcoma-related pathologic fracture in dogs: a veterinary society of surgical oncology retrospective study. Veterinary Surgery 2011;40:431-437.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.2011.00820.x
• Outcome following hemipelvectomy in the dog and cats
Principal investigator: Dr. Jonathan Bray, Massey University, New Zealand
Bray JP, Worley DR, Henderson RA, et al: Hemipelvectomy: outcome in 84 dogs and 16 cats. A Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology retrospective study. Veterinary Surgery 2014;43:27–37
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.2013.12080.x
• Retrospective evaluation of canine tongue tumors: results of surgical excision
Principal investigator: Dr. William Culp
Culp WTN, Ehrhart N, Withrow SJ, Rebhun RB, Boston S, Buracco P, Reiter AM, Schallberger SP, Aldridge CF, Kent MS, Mayhew PD, Brown DC. Results of surgical excision and evaluation of factors associated with survival time in dogs with lingual neoplasia: 97 cases (1995-2008). JAVMA 2013; 242:1392-1397.
2009
• Retrospective review of apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinomas in cats
Principal investigator: Dr. Ryan Cavanaugh
Amsellem PM. Cavanaugh RP, Chou P, Bacon NJ, Schallberger SP, Farese JP, Kuntz CA, Liptak JM, Culp WTN, Robot CS, Powers BE. Apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma in cats: 30 cases (1994-2015) JAVMA. 2019. 254(6):716-722
2008
• Retrospective review of primary appendicular chondrosarcoma in dogs
Principal investigator: Dr. Jim Farese
Farese JP., Kirpensteijn J, Kik M, Bacon NJ, Waltman SS, Seguin B, Kent M, Liptak J, Straw R, Chang MN, Jiang Y, Withrow SJ. Biologic behavior and clinical outcome of 25 dogs with canine appendicular chondrosarcoma treated by amputation: a Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology retrospective study. Veterinary Surgery 2009;38:914-919.
2006
VCS Clinical Trials
The Veterinary Cancer Society has established a webpage dedicated to Clinical Trials. This page addresses many questions concerning clinical trials and is an excellent source for those searching for treatment for their pet. Additionally, active clinical trials can be found at that site.