Measuring Chemotherapy Drug Resistance in Dogs with T-cell Lymphoma

Quantitative Assessment of Minimal Residual Disease Kinetics during CHOP Chemotherapy of Canine T-cell Lymphoma via Next-Generation TCRVß Sequencing

Human cancer treatment is becoming more and more tailored to each individual case and tumor characteristics. This study will be conducted by researchers at North Carolina State University and will follow a small number of cells that evade chemotherapy agents, providing information on the effectiveness of particular agents against T-cell lymphoma. The data from this study will be used to personalize treatment protocols for dogs on an individual basis in hopes of improving outcomes, survival rates, and quality of life.

Description: Since the use of combination chemotherapy was first reported in 1968, little progress has been made in improving the survival of dogs with T-cell lymphoma. Effectively monitoring chemosensitivity – the number of tumor cells killed by chemotherapy– of individual lymphoma cells exposed to multiple agents over many treatments remains a challenge. Following the small numbers of cells that evade chemotherapy would provide information on the effectiveness of a particular chemotherapy agent.

In this clinical trial, researchers will use state-of-the-art DNA technology to measure changes in this small population of resistant cancerous T-cells in client-owned dogs with lymphoma. Data will be used to personalize treatment protocols for individual dogs in hope of improving survival and quality of life.

Co-sponsored with the Morris Animal Foundation, Grant Number: D16CA-056

RESEARCHERS

Dr. Paul R. Hess, DVM, PhD
North Carolina State University
Amount: $10,000