Published results can be found here.

Study Title: Treating Osteosarcoma Bone Pain with Irradiation, Doxorubicin, and Intravenous Pamidronate

Purpose of the Study: In this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, dogs with osteosarcoma (OSA) not perceived as good candidates for amputation will receive standard-of-care palliative therapy (coarse-fractions of megavoltage radiation therapy and intravenous doxorubicin) plus either pamidronate (Group 1) or saline control (Group 2). Comparisons between groups will be objectively evaluated for: (1) clinical treatment efficacy assessed by a numerical pain score and gait analyses; (2) urine and serum surrogate markers of bone remodeling; and (3) regional changes in bone mineral density of the primary tumor assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. This study aims to determine if pamidronate improves upon standard-of-care palliative therapy for the management of bone pain associated with appendicular OSA in dogs.

Inclusion Criteria: The inclusion criteria for the study are as follows:

1. Dogs with suspected* or confirmed appendicular OSA
2. NO prior treatment with radiation therapy, systemic chemotherapy, or bisphosphonates
3. NO concurrent disease(s) that would limit survival
4. NO pathologic fracture of affected limb nor ADVANCED metastatic disease
5. Signed informed client consent

*Dogs with suspected appendicular OSA will be fully worked-up at the University of Illinois Cancer Care Clinic. Once the dog is confirmed to have appendicular OSA, the study will pay for ALL treatment costs (average $2,700 to $4,900), including price of palliative radiation therapy, systemic chemotherapy, and pamidronate. Although treatment costs will be paid for by the study, all initial and follow up diagnostic charges will be the responsibility of pet owners.

Diagnostics, Treatment, and Compensation:

• Diagnostics will include: 1) Bloodwork and urinalysis 2) Tumor cytology and histopathology 3) 3 view thoracic x-rays 4) Primary tumor x-rays 5) Abdominal ultrasound, and 6) Echocardiogram
• The study will cover ALL treatment costs associated with the study.
• All dogs entering the study will receive: 1) 4 weekly treatments with radiation therapy 2) Treatment with intravenous doxorubicin chemotherapy (5 cycles), and oral deracoxib. Half of the dogs entering the study will ALSO receive intravenous pamidronate (3 cycles) in a randomized, double-blinded fashion.

For practical purposes and to ensure optimal follow-up for these patients, we would prefer that they live in Illinois or the surrounding states.

Visit the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital Clinical Trial Announcement page at: http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/vth/clinical.html