Canine Brain Tumor Research

Canine Brain Tumor Clinical Trials Program

Investigators: G. Elizabeth Pluhar, DVM, PhD and John Ohlfest, PhD
Eligible cases: Dogs with meningiomas and glioma
Contact Info: Clinical Investigation Center, 612-624-2485 or vcic@umn.edu

The goal of the Canine Brain Tumor Clinical Trial Program is to offer cutting edge therapy to dogs intended to preserve quality of life and improve long-term survival rates. Additionally, we will use the information gained from treating dogs to design similar treatments for people with brain tumors. The majority of the cost associated with these experimental brain tumor therapies is paid for by grants from foundation and government agencies including the Children’s Cancer Research Fund, the Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund, the National Institutes of Health, the American Cancer Society, and the American Brain Tumor Association.

We have treated almost 70 dogs, and are still collecting data to be able to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of the therapies. However, we have found that dogs with meningiomas and low grade glioma respond well to the combination of surgery and immunotherapy, and we are prolonging the disease free interval for dogs with high grade glioma while providing an excellent quality of life. We continue to actively recruit dogs with either meningioma or glioma for currently funded projects. We are always happy to accept charitable donations to help further our research efforts. (See sidebar for more on Batman, first case enrolled in these trials.)

See the links to the right to learn more about the trials. To request enrollment of a dog in a trial, the dog's veterinarian should fill out the form under "Apply for Brain Tumor Clinical Trials Program". You may also call 612-624-2485 to speak with the Clinical Investigation Center.

To donate to the research effort, click here and select “new gift” then designate the gift is for the “CVM canine brain tumor clinical trials” effort. Or you can contact Bill Venne, chief development officer, at 612-625-8480 or venne025@umn.edu.