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Completed Clinical Studies
This section highlights our completed clinical trials and studies, with publication information if applicable. Publication links will take you to PubMed. Cardiology
Clinical Pathology
Dermatology
Emergency and Critical Care
Large Animal Medicine and Surgery
Neurology
Oncology
Small Animal Medicine
Small Animal Surgery
Cardiology Amplatz Canine Duct Occluder studies
Investigators: Anthony H. Tobias, BVSc, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM (Cardiology), Thaibinh P. Nguyenba, DVM
This research involved the design and development of a novel device specifically to conform to the morphology of patent ductus arteriosus in dogs and a minimally invasive per-catheter procedure for device delivery in this species. Publications:
Nguyenba TP, Tobias AH. Minimally invasive per-catheter patent ductus arteriosus occlusion in dogs using a prototype duct occluder. J Vet Intern Med. 2008 Jan-Feb;22(1):129-34
Nguyenba TP, Tobias AH. The Amplatz® Canine Duct Occluder: a novel device for patent ductus arteriosus occlusion. Journal of Veterinary Cardiology 2007; 9: 109-117. Body Fluid Volume and Cardiac Effects of Methylprednisolone in Cats
Investigators: Anthony H. Tobias, BVSc, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM (Cardiology), Sheila Torres, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVD
Cats that required corticosteriod therapy for dermatologic disorders were studied pre- and post-injection of methylprednisolone. Publication: Ployngam T, Tobias AH, Smith SA, Torres SM, Ross SJ. Hemodynamic effects of methylprednisolone acetate administration in cats. Am J Vet Res. 2006 Apr;67(4):583-7. Return to top
Clinical Pathology Evaluation of Feline Antithrombin and D-dimer Concentrations in Populations of Healthy and Clinically Ill Cats Clotting disturbances are the end result of many serious feline diseases and frequently the cause of the death. Current clotting tests for cats detect only severe changes in clotting. This study evaluated two laboratory tests to determine how useful and accurate they are. The investigators found that the chromogenic antithrombin (AT) assay appeared to measure AT in cats but was not helpful in diagnosing disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The immunoturbidimetric D-dimer assay was not found to be useful for the diagnosis of DIC in cats. Publication: Brazzell, JL, Borjesson, DL. Evaluation of plasma antithrombin activity and D-dimer concentration in populations of healthy cats, clinically ill cats, and cats with cardiomyopathy. Vet Clin Pathol. 2007 Mar;36(1):79-84. Return to top
Dermatology Ceramide composition of the stratum corneum of canine patients with dermatitis.
Principal Investigators: Sheila M. F. Torres, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVD; Lisa Reiter, DVM
This study looked at the composition of the skin of dogs with allergies. Decreased amounts of ceramides were found in the non-lesional skin of dogs with atopic dermatitis and may be involved in impaired barrier function of their skin. Publication: Reiter LV, Torres SM, Wertz PW. Characterization and quantification of ceramides in the nonlesional skin of canine patients with atopic dermatitis compared with controls. Vet Dermatol. 2009 Aug;20(4):260-6. Return to top
Emergency and Critical Care High Mobility Group B-1 Protein as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Tool in Canine Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome and Sepsis Principal Investigator: Kelly Hall, DVM
Contact: Dr. Kelly Hall, Phone: 612-624-6288 E-mail: wilke022@umn.edu HMGB-1 is known to be involved in inflammatory processes in other mammal species (e.g., humans, mice). HMGB-1 has been identified as a protein in inflammatory processes, including sepsis, arthritis and cancer. This study evaluated whether HMGB-1 can be detected in normal canine patient serum and if it changes significantly in known inflammatory processes (e.g., sepsis) or other naturally occurring animal diseases. Return to top
Large Animal Medicine and Surgery The efficacy of imiquimod 5% cream (Aldara®) in the treatment of aural plaque in horses: a pilot open label-clinical trial.
Investigators: Sheila Torres, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVD; Erin Malone
This clinical trial of 16 horses (21 enrolled, 16 completed) found that topical application of imiquimod 5% cream was effective in treating aural plaques, a condition which affects 22% or more of horses. Cases were followed for up to 22 months and only two horses had recurrence of their lesions. Publication: Torres SM, Malone ED, White SD, Koch SN, Watson JL. The efficacy of imiquimod 5% cream (Aldara® in the treatment of aural plaque in horses: a pilot open-label clinical trial. Vet Dermatol. 2010 Oct;21(5):503-9. Efficacy of imiquimod 5% cream in the treatment of equine sarcoids: a pilot study.
Principal Investigator: Sandra (Nogueira) Koch, DVM, DACVD
This pilot study enrolled 15 horses with sarcoid tumors of mixed type and location. Results showed 12/15 lesions reduced in size by >75%, and 9 resolved completely. Publication: Nogueira SA, Torres SM, Malone ED, Diaz SF, Jessen C, Gilbert S. Efficacy of imiquimod 5% cream in the treatment of equine sarcoids: a pilot study. Vet Dermatol. 2006 Aug;17(4):259-65. Aldara® use in Equines. See this page for FAQs and Veterinarian Instructions for use of Aldara® (imiquimod). Return to top Neurology Clinical characteristics and inheritance of idiopathic epilepsy in Vizslas. Publication: Patterson EE, Da Y, Mickelson JR, Roberts MC, McVey A, O Brien D, Johnson GS, Armstrong PJ. (2003) Clinical characteristics and inheritance of idiopathic epilepsy in Vizslas. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 17(3): 319-325.
For more information, please see the Canine Epilepsy Network website. Neuropathic pain in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Principal Investigator: Ned Patterson, DVM, PhD, DACVIM
Contact: Dr. Patterson, 612-625-5799, e-mail: patte037@umn.edu The Clinical Investigation Center has completed a clinical study evaluating the efficacy of a novel treatment for the control of pain associated with syringomyelia in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. The study was part of a collaborative effort between a Pharmaceutical Company, and the Schools of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota, the University of Pennsylvania and the Royal Veterinary College in the United Kingdom. The study actively recruited patients from November 2007 to October 2008 and after screening 119 dogs, a total of fifty two patients participated in the trial.
Following statistical analysis, the results are promising. There is potential for further development of this new medication to help alleviate the pain associated with syringomyelia. Return to top
Oncology Phase I Lymphoma study in large dogs Principal Investigator: Brian Husbands, DVM
Contact: Dr. Husbands, 612-625-6722, E-mail: husba002@umn.edu The last dogs have been enrolled in a multi-institutional clinical trial of a new chemotherapeutic medication to treat lymphoma. Results are pending. A pilot study to evaluate dynamic contrast-enhancement MRI characteristics of canine malignant and benign pulmonary nodules
Principal Investigator: Vicki Wilke, DVM, PhD, DACVS
Contact: Dr. Vicki Wilke, E-mail: wilke175@umn.edu
Dogs with a lung mass, masses or focal lung infiltrate (cancer, infectious, or benign) were examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results are pending. Return to top
Small Animal Medicine A multi-institutional study evaluation the diagnostic utility of the spec cPLTM and SNAP® CPLTM in clinical acute pancreatitis in 84 dogs.
Principal Investigator (this site): Jane Armstrong DVM, MS, MBA, DACVIM
This multi-site study examined the diagnostic usefulness (sensitivity and specificity) of the pancreatic lipase blood test and found that these tests have a higher sensitivity than serum amylase or lipase activity in diagnosing clinical acute pancreatitis in dogs. Publication: McCord K, Morley PS, Armstrong J, Simpson K, Rishniw M, Forman MA, Biller D, Parnell N, Arnell K, Hill S, Avgeris S, Gittelman H, Moore M, Hitt M, Oswald G, Marks S, Burney D, Twedt D. J Vet Intern Med. 2012 Jul-Aug;26(4):888-96. Treatment of Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia with Individually Adjusted Heparin Dosing in Dogs
Investigators: Sarah Helmond, DVM, David Polzin, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, Jane Armstrong, DVM, MS, MBA, DACVIM Drs. Sarah Helmond and Maureen Finke (former residents in Internal Medicine) along with Dr. David Polzin, Dr. Jane Armstrong, and Dr. Stephanie Smith (University of Illinois) completed a prospective clinical trial comparing treating dogs with IMHA with individually adjusted doses of heparin to standard of care, fixed low heparin dosing. Plasma levels were measured using an anti-XA factor assay at Fairview Labs. The study of 15 dogs found a greater survival rate in the adjusted heparin dosing group than in the group with standard care. Publication:Helmond SE, Polzin DJ, Armstrong PJ, Finke M, Smith SA.Treatment of Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia with Individually Adjusted Heparin Dosing in Dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2010 April 6. Efficacy and safety of lithotripsy Dr. Jody Lulich evaluated lithotripsy as a method of removing stones from the urinary bladder of dogs as an alternative to surgery. The laser lithotripter breaks up stones into tiny fragments using thermal energy. These stones are then eliminated through urination. The procedure is done under anesthesia using a cystoscope to visualize stones and to accurately aim the laser. Publication: Lulich JP, Osborne CA, Albasan H, Monga M, Bevan JM. Efficacy and safety of laser lithotripsy in fragmentation of urocystoliths and urethroliths for removal in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2009 May 15;234(10):1279-85. This procedure is now available as a standard of care in the Veterinary Medical Center. Human Intravenous Immune Globulin in Dogs with Primary Immune-mediated Thrombocytopenia (IMT).
Investigators: Domenico Bianco, DVM, P. Jane Armstrong, DVM, MS, MBA, DACVIM, Robert Washabau, VMD, PhD, DACVIM
This study was designed to compare the effects of human intravenous immunoglobulin plus glucocorticoid versus glucocorticoid alone on platelet count recovery, morbidity, mortality, hospitalization time, and cost in dogs with acute immune-mediated thrombocytopenia. 40 dogs were enrolled with acute immune-mediated thrombocytopenia. Publication:Bianco D, Armstrong PJ, Washabau RJ. A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of human intravenous immunoglobulin for the acute management of presumptive primary immune-mediated thrombocytopenia in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2009 Sep-Oct;23(5):1071-8. Epub 2009 Aug 5. Return to top
Small Animal Surgery
Provoking anti tumor immune responses with FAS ligand Principal Investigator: Vicki Wilke, DVM, PhD, DACVS
Contact: Dr. Vicki Wilke: 612-625-4966 E-mail: wilke175@umn.edu
This study treated dogs with untreated Stage I or II osteosarcoma with a new gene therapy, followed by standard of care amputation and chemotherapy. The particular gene therapy referred to as Fasaret® has demonstrated anti-tumor responses in rodents as well as in canine oral melanoma. Fasaret therapy given to canine patients with other tumor types has not resulted in any systemic side effects when administered directly into the tumor or other tissues. The gene is carried to the tumor cells by an adenovirus vector. This virus vector cannot replicate on its own and carries no risk itself to humans or animals that might come into contact with it. What was involved - Diagnostic tests and x-rays, all part of normal staging for canine patients with osteosarcoma
- Bone biopsy and treatment with Fasaret directly into the tumor
- Amputation 10 days after the Fasaret was administered
- Chemotherapy started two weeks after amputation, four visits at three weeks apart plus recheck visits in between, blood and urine collected at each recheck visit
- Following chemotherapy, recheck visits every three months
Results are pending. Return to top
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