Clinical Trials
Thank you for your interest in our research studies. Our mission is to provide and deliver the highest level of medical care, concern and commitment, professionalism, and scientific expertise to our patients.
Cornell Clinical Trials
Canine
Oncology
Lymphoma: Banking Lymph Nodes
Progress has been slow to improve therapies and outcomes for dogs diagnosed with a very common tumor - lymphoma. To accelerate our understanding of this cancer in dogs and identify novel treatments to improve survival, we are collecting a sample of lymph node tissue from dogs diagnosed with multicentric lymphoma that have not yet begun therapy for their cancer. The tissue collected will be used to identify ways to improve disease detection, prognosis, and treatment options for dogs with lymphoma. The project is part of the Cornell Lymphoma Program and involves researchers across the Cornell Ithaca campus and at Weill Cornell in New York City. This study is also being performed at the Cornell University Veterinary Specialists in Stamford, CT.
New Treatment Option for Lymphoma
Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in dogs with few treatment options available. Traditional chemotherapeutic drugs have been used to extend quality of life, achieve clinical remissions, and slow cancer progression, but can be expensive. Additional safe, low cost therapies are needed for canine patients. This study repurposes an antibiotic drug that has established data regarding its benefit and safety in dogs when used to treat certain infections. Furthermore, research has shown that this drug decreases the ability of the lymphoma cells to thrive in a laboratory setting. In the current study, dogs will be prospectively enrolled to receive either prednisone alone or prednisone in combination with the study drug. This study is available through the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Oncology service and is sponsored by the Cornell University Animal Health Grants Program.
Using a New Therapy for Dogs with Osteosarcoma to Delay or Prevent Metastasis
Canine osteosarcoma (OSA or bone cancer) is an aggressive cancer that frequently affects the long bones of large breed dogs. Even with chemotherapy it can cause local bone destruction and spread easily to other organs, so new therapies are needed to prevent or delay this spread and extend lives. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, in conjunction with the Comparative Oncology Trials Consortium, is offering a new clinical trial to help treat dogs with OSA to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a new vaccine following standard of care therapy.
Evaluating a New Drug Combination to Treat Lymphoma
Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in dogs with few treatment options available. Traditional chemotherapeutic drugs have been used to extend quality of life, achieve clinical remissions, and slow cancer progression, however relapse rate is high. This study aims to try a new drug combination to reduce relapse rates and extend remission times in lymphoma. These are targeted therapy drugs which work synergistically together allowing us to give lower doses of each which will help reduce unwanted side effects. This combination, while thoroughly tested, has not even been tested in human medicine, giving us an exciting and unusual opportunity to jump ahead of human medicine in this area. This study is also being performed at the Cornell University Veterinary Specialists in Stamford, CT.
Emergency/Critical Care
When should we stop the antibiotics? Towards biomarker guided antimicrobial therapy for dogs with sepsis.
Antibiotics have saved millions of lives since their discovery, and have enabled major progress in human and veterinary medicine. These essential therapies face unprecedented challenges from the development of bacterial antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial stewardship is now an essential focus for human and veterinary medicine. Reducing duration and intensity of antimicrobial therapy to the minimum necessary can decrease the selection pressure and limit the emergence of resistance, thereby preserving these life-saving drugs for future patients.
Evaluation of StablePlate Rx in Thrombocytopenic Canine Patients
This clinical trial will evaluate a novel commercial freeze-dried platelet product (StablePlate Rx) against the current standard-of-care in dogs with bleeding due to thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia is a bleeding disorder cause by a decreased number of platelets in the blood and depending on the underlying condition it can cause spontaneous bleeding in the skin, from the mouth or gut, in the urine and around the eyes. It can be life-threatening, particularly when the bleeding occurs into the gut, lungs or central nervous system. Platelets are difficult to keep in stock in hospitals in a way that allows them to work after transfusion. This is a trial of a new, shelf-stable method of providing platelets to patients in need.
*ON HOLD* Treating Bleeding Due to Trauma Using a New Drug
The Cornell University Hospital for Animals (CUHA) along with NC State Veterinary Hospital is recruiting severely injured dogs for enrollment in a clinical trial testing a clot-stabilizing drug called tranexamic acid (TXA). In humans, early administration of TXA following trauma significantly reduces mortality and risk of death from hemorrhage. The drug works by blocking natural process clot breakdown (fibrinolysis). In health, fibrinolysis is essential for maintaining the normal balance between clotting and bleeding. However, this process becomes unbalanced after trauma and can lead to excessive clot breakdown which is associated with continued bleeding, need for massive blood transfusions, and increased risk of death. The objective of this study is to determine the efficacy of a proposed TXA treatment protocol to reverse fibrinolysis in dogs with hemorrhagic shock due to trauma. This will be the first prospective evaluation of clinical efficacy of tranexamic acid in the dog following trauma and is funded by the United States Special Operations Command to advance trauma care for military dogs.
Evaluation of the effect of antibiotic use on the fecal flora: Dynamics of antibiotic resistance over time
Antibiotics have saved millions of lives since their discovery and have enabled major progress in human and veterinary medicine. These essential therapies face unprecedented challenges from the development of bacterial antimicrobial resistance, due in part to our extensive use of antibiotics helping cause resistant bacteria. Antimicrobial stewardship is now an essential focus for human and veterinary medicine, with the World Health Organization terming antimicrobial resistance a “serious threat to global public health”
Identifying Clotting Risk Factors in IMHA
Dogs with Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA) are at high risk for developing clots inappropriately. This likely contributes to the high mortality rates reported with this disease. There are likely multiple causes and evidence is emerging about what may play an important role. We wish to assess a couple of these risk factors identified in the blood work to help advance our understanding of this disease and to improve our ability to identify dogs most at risk, therefore enabling us to treat them more appropriately with anti-clotting therapies.
Immunoprofiling to Combat ITP
Autoimmune disease develops when the immune system "goes rogue" and destroys normal healthy cells in the body. Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a serious bleeding disorder caused by immune destruction of platelets, small blood cells that heal injured blood vessels. The treatment of ITP involves long courses of powerful immunosuppresive drugs that require frequent rechecks for monitoring. Common side effects of these drugs include urinary incontinence, hair loss, and intestinal ulcers, and can be as severe as bone marrow failure or sepsis.
Surgery
A New Treatment for Osteoarthritis of the Elbow in Dogs
Arthritis is a common, painful condition in many dogs. There aren't many effective pain relief methods that are safe for long term use. We’ve developed a new, synthetic, joint lubricant (called Lubrisynth TM), which, when injected into the joint with arthritis, should aid in reducing pain and improving mobility without needing drugs such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
Using Imaging to Identify Draining Lymph Node for Mast Cell Tumors
Mast cell tumors are the most common malignant skin tumors in dogs and surgery is the treatment of choice for addressing these tumors. These tumors can spreads (metastasizes) to other areas and drain into the surrounding lymph nodes. If a tumor has spread into the lymph node it may also spread to the spleen, liver, and bone marrow and additional diagnostic tests may need to be performed. Identification and surgical removal of a draining lymph node (the sentinel lymph node) is used for determining local metastasis and can impact prognosis and treatment recommendation. As every dog and tumor is different, it has been shown that the node closest to the tumor is not necessarily the sentinel node. The goal of this study is to utilize computed tomography (CT) to identify the sentinel lymph node prior to surgical removal.
Uncovering Mechanisms of Post-Procedural Hypocalcemia in Dogs with Hyperparathyroidism
Hyperparathyroidism is a disease whereby overactive parathyroid glands produce unchecked amounts of parathyroid hormone that leads to excessive levels of circulating calcium which can have serious consequences. Primary hyperparathyroidism in dogs can be successfully treated by removal or ablation of the affected glands.
Other Services
**ON HOLD**Using a Prototype Device to Deliver Pain Medications for Dogs with Cancer
Some dogs with cancer, especially end-stage cancer patients or patients with dermatitis as the results of radiation therapy, experience pain that cannot be adequately controlled with oral medications given by their owners at home. Depending on the site of pain, an injection into the spine, called an epidural injection, can provide pain relief superior to oral medications, sometimes with fewer side effects. The duration of pain relief is variable but may last several weeks, however, repeating the injection requires heavy sedation or general anesthesia each time, and this puts the dog at risk for anesthetic complications, is time consuming, and can be prohibitively expensive. The Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine Service at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals (CUHA) is currently investigating a prototype device that consists of an epidural catheter connected to an access port that is implanted under the skin over a dog’s back under brief general anesthesia. Pain relieving drugs can then be injected through the port and catheter into the epidural space into the spine as frequently as necessary to provide pain relief without the need for anesthesia and its risks and costs. The device can then be removed if it is no longer needed.
Utilizing Imaging to Study New Ways to Diagnose Degenerative Myelopathy
Spinal cord lesions caused by canine degenerative myelopathy are undetectable on standard clinical MRI limiting our ability to diagnose and monitor the disease. Studies in people with a similar condition, Lou Gehrig’s disease, have shown that an advanced MRI technique called diffusion tensor imaging is able to detect the microscopic changes in the spinal cord caused by this condition. This project aims to determine if this technique is able to identify the spinal cord lesions caused by degenerative myelopathy by comparing imaging results from a group of dogs with the condition with a normal group. Diffusion tensor imaging has the potential to become a reliable imaging method for the diagnosis and monitoring of degenerative myelopathy.
Collecting Samples to Study Dogs with Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are tumors that arise from various skin and connective tissues under the skin, such as fat, muscle, cartilage, nerves, or small blood vessels. These tumors can occur from any site on the body and commonly regrow after tumor removal. While surgical removal and other therapies are available to treat these tumors, little is known as to why the occur in the first place. Dr. Andrew Miller and his lab are collecting samples of canine soft tissue sarcomas in order to determine their RNA molecules, otherwise known as transcriptomes. This information will one day lead to new treatments and preventives for these tumors.
Utilizing a Drug to Control Arrhythmia Severity
Irregular heartbeats, or arrhythmias, frequently occur in dogs with cardiac disease. They can further damage the ability of the heart to contract, cause fainting, or even cause sudden death. Severe arrhythmias need to be managed with antiarrhythmic drugs, however, these drugs can have side effects and their efficacy is variable. Therefore, it is important to investigate other drugs that could help decrease arrhythmia numbers. Spironolactone is commonly used in dogs with heart disease to slow progression and is known to have very few side-effects. In people with heart disease, it has been shown to decrease arrhythmia severity. The goal of this project is to determine if the same beneficial effect of spironolactone exists in dogs.
A Dietary Trial for Dogs with IBD
Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a chronic GI condition that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or both. It can sometimes be reversed with dietary management using novel and/or hydrolyzed proteins. (These are proteins that are specially formulated for medical conditions.)
New Whelping Calculator
Radiofrequency Therapy for Pain Management in Dogs
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and pulse-dosed radiofrequency (PRF) are therapies used in people to treat chronic pain, including osteoarthritis (OA) pain. Neither has been researched in dogs for chronic pain management but could be highly effective, long-lasting means of relieving OA pain when other treatments fail.
Investigating Genetics in Primary Glaucoma in Cocker Spaniels
Glaucoma is one of the most common causes for irreversible blindness and pain in dogs. Primary glaucoma is typically a bilateral disease and its consequences are always heartbreaking. Among all the pure breed dogs, Cocker spaniels are one of the most commonly affected breeds where approximately 5% have glaucoma.
Feline
Using Healthy Senior Cats as Controls for Genetic Mapping
Dr. Isabel Hernandez and Dr. Marta Castelhano of the Cornell Veterinary Biobank in collaboration with the Cornell Feline Health Center are conducting a screening of healthy senior cats that can serve as controls for several genetic diseases.
Studying Feline Sepsis in Emergency Situations
Sepsis is a life-threatening syndrome characterized by the body’s response to a serious infection. It is associated with severe illness, long stays in the hospital and a high risk of death. Although sepsis in cats is less common than in dogs, cats have a higher risk of dying from their infection. Cats with sepsis tend to have low heart rates, low body temperature and stomach pain. It is not known why they develop these clinical signs or why they have lower survival rates compared to people or other companion animals. It is these unique aspects of sepsis in cats that are the basis for our study. We will enroll cats with naturally occurring sepsis and examine multiple facets of the syndrome to provide insights into why they behave differently compared to other species. Our investigators will therefore assess the diagnostic results of these cats to help determine what makes them different to other species and to develop new diagnostic tests and treatments.
Understanding the Genetics of Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
Dr. Gary Whittaker, of the Whittaker Lab, in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, is continuing the regional study of the feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) virus and how it infects cats. The aim is to reach a better understanding of this virus in order to formulate a successful method of treatment and to work towards a future diagnostic test. Various sample specimens are needed from cats suspected of having FIP and healthy cats who live or have lived with cats suspected of FIP.
Feline Tick/Lyme Disease Surveillance Program
Dr. Dwight Bowman is conducting a study on ticks that have been removed from cats. Ticks can carry disease-causing pathogens, such as Lyme disease, which can infect many different species, including humans. While it is still unclear whether or not cats are susceptible to Lyme disease from ticks in the wild, it has been proven that they can be infected under laboratory conditions, and some have even responded to treatment. The goal of this study is to determine the types of ticks that are attaching to cats, how many ticks are infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, and where these ticks are located around the country.
Investigating a New Class of Anti-Cancer Drugs for Mammary Cancer
Drs. Gerlinde Van de Walle and Scott Coonrod are investigating the DNA of feline mammary cancer cells and how it affects tumor growth. While this is not a clinical study it has the potential to improve our understanding of how feline mammary cancer develops and also to lay the groundwork for new ways to treat mammary cancer in cats.
Collecting Samples to Study Biomarkers of Feline Carcinoma
Cancer is a leading cause of death in cats, with tumors in the mammary gland, mouth, and skin being the most common. Currently, we rely on surgical removal of the tumor or a biopsy for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment options. Since this procedure often requires anesthesia, researchers are looking at ways of using a simple blood sample in order to provide these answers. This is already being performed in humans because tumors release biomarkers in the blood called circulating tumor cells (CTCs). These cells enter the blood stream from the original tumor and begin to appear before the cancer spreads to other parts of the body. Higher CTC numbers are associated with cancer spread, faster disease progression, and a poorer prognosis in humans with various cancers. CTCs can also play a role in determining the type of cancer treatment for the patient. To date, there are no published studies on CTC detection in cats so the goal of this study is to develop tools needed for use in future tests designed to detect CTCs in the blood of cats with cancer.
Equine
Quantitative Computed Tomography and Bone Quality Assessment for the Prediction of Fetlock Breakdown Injuries in Race Horses
Catastrophic failure of the proximal sesamoid bones (PSBs) in elite racehorses results in dramatic, often fatal, fractures that occur during high speed races. PSB fractures often occur without prior symptoms in otherwise healthy, athletic animals. Fracture pathology is poorly understood, and it is therefore unclear what aspects of bone structure and material properties contribute to fracture risk. Understanding changes in bone morphometry (i.e., shape, density, volume) that increase fracture risk could lead to screening techniques to identify horses at increased risk of fracture.
Exotics
Determining the Best Treatment for Rabbits with Gastric Outflow Obstruction
Obstruction of the rabbit GI tract is a devastating disease of pet rabbits and currently there is limited data to guide veterinarians towards the best treatment option for each case. The goal of this study is to build and strengthen our database on naturally occurring cases of gastrointestinal obstruction in pet rabbits in order to improve survival rates. By accumulating a larger amount of data on these cases we aim to better define the disease in our patients and determine if certain patients are better served with surgery, medical management, or a combination of the two.
