Stress protein inhibitor (SPI) for glioma treatment

Background and purpose of the trial

Every year, about three out of every 100 dogs get brain tumors. Of those, many have a kind of brain tumor called a glioma. These are the second most common type of brain tumor in dogs, and the toughest to treat. This is because these specific tumor cells have the ability to escape traditional treatment methods, and some cells are left behind to multiply, which may cause the tumor to grow back quickly.

This study will be testing a new drug that stops the production of a specific protein found in large numbers in tumor cells. This protein is very important for cancer cell survival, and by working to stop this protein, the cancer cells should not be able to survive treatment.

Study design

• Each patient will be required to undergo general anesthesia for a biopsy of the tumor. Once the tumor has been confirmed to be a glioma, owners will be required to return to CSU once every two weeks for six months for the patient to receive an injection of the new drug therapy. At these visits, the patient will receive a blood draw, and the owner will complete an online questionnaire along with a seizure log.
• The patient will be required to return to CSU to undergo anesthesia for a recheck MRI every six months.
• In the event that the patient dies or is humanely euthanized, the owner is required to bring the patient to CSU for collection of research samples and to have an autopsy performed.

Financial incentives

All costs, including the initial brain tumor biopsy, treatments, recheck MRIs, and blood work are covered by the study.