ORBIT - VSV and an anti-PD-1 inhibitor for Canine Lymphoma

cartoon dog in space
Principal Investigator
Jaime Modiano, VMD, PhD
Perlman Professor of Oncology and Comparative Medicine, Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Caitlin Feiock, DVM
Assistant Professor, Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Contact

Kelly Reid, CVT
Senior Research Study Technician
[email protected]
612-625-7645

Category:
Cancer/Oncology
Species:
Dog
Current status: Open and enrolling

Study title

Translation of a novel combination therapy approach for non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Phase 2:  Combination therapy for naive or relapsed/refractory aggressive lymphoma

Purpose of study

NEW experimental treatment for dogs with aggressive lymphomas (LSA; B or T cell) with genetically modified Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV), enhanced by adding a checkpoint inhibitor called anti-PD-1. 

  • Phase 1 will determine if VSV has efficacy as an individual treatment - COMPLETED
  • Phase 2 will determine the safety and efficacy of a combination therapy using VSV and an anti-PD-1 inhibitor - currently enrolling

Eligibility criteria

Dogs should:  

  • have a previously confirmed diagnosis of aggressive lymphoma (indolent lymphomas are excluded)
  • have treatment naive or received at least one dose of chemotherapy then discontinued due to resistance (refractory disease), disease progression (relapse), or severe toxicity
  • be overall feeling well with no significant health concerns aside from lymphoma based on physical examination and laboratory testing
  • weigh at least 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg)
  • be spayed or neutered
  • be up to date on vaccines, flea/tick prevention and internal parasite control
  • not be taking alternative/herbal medications
  • not be taking corticosteroids, unless part of CHOP treatment
  • not be housed near or otherwise have access to livestock or companion horses, goats, pigs (VSV is a potential concern in livestock) for at least 4 days post VSV administration
  • discontinue any immunosuppressive drugs for two weeks prior to enrolling in the study 

Procedures

The procedures during the study visits are summarized below. Patients will be given a combination treatment with VSV and the anti-PD-1; a detailed treatment plan will be discussed prior to enrollment:

  • Screening exam:  physical exam (PE); blood, urine and fecal samples collected; under general anesthesia, imaging of the chest and abdomen, and a lymph node biopsy will be taken
  • VSV administration - Day 0:  dogs will receive VSV (given IV) and stay at least 6 hours for observation and periodic sample collection which may include blood, urine, feces and saliva; dogs will either need to return everyday for the next 4 days or stay in the hospital for a PE and sample collections
  • Anti-PD-1 administration - Days 2, 16, 44, 100:  dogs will receive anti-PD-1 antibody IV and monitored closely for a minimum of 2 hours; a PE and blood, urine and feces will be periodically collected over 6 hours
  • Lymph node resection - Day 10:  surgery service will remove a previously affected lymph node, if one is visible and accessible, under general anesthesia
  • Recheck visits - multiple, discussed at enrollment:  PE with blood, urine, feces and saliva collected; lymph node measurements and aspirates performed during some visits
  • Restaging visits -multiple, discussed at enrollment:  during some recheck appointments, in addition to PE and sample collection, imaging of the chest and abdomen under general anesthesia if needed; possible tissue biopsy if lymph nodes are enlarged

Costs

Owners are responsible for the initial diagnostic exam, bloodwork and urinalysis during the screening visit. 

Once a patient is enrolled, all costs associated with visits and treatments pertaining to the study will be covered with an anticipated maximum of $10,500.