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College of Veterinary Medicine

Investigating the Efficacy of a Dietary Supplement in Delaying the Progression of Canine Urothelial Carcinoma/Bladder Cancer 

August 3, 2022

Principal Investigator

Dr Shelly Vaden

Description

This study will investigate:

1. whether urine-based screening for a genetic marker (a specific mutation in the BRAF gene) can detect canine urothelial carcinoma/bladder cancer before the onset of clinical signs.

2. whether a dietary supplement delays the onset of clinical signs in dogs that have a detectable urinary BRAF mutation, but which have no existing clinical signs of urothelial carcinoma/bladder cancer.

3. whether the same dietary supplement slows progression of the disease in dogs recently diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma/bladder cancer , when provided in combination with standard of care treatment. 

Testing Requirements

Participants will be asked to:

  • bring your dog for an initial clinical evaluation at NC State College of Veterinary Medicine
  • provide your dog with the supplied dietary supplement (or placebo) – a once-daily tablet
  • submit a urine sample from your dog to the study each month
  • complete a short online questionnaire each month

Study benefits (provided at no cost to enrolled participants) include:

  • monthly screening of your dog’s urine with our BRAF Mutation Detection test (a DNA-based marker of canine urothelial carcinoma/bladder cancer)
  • clinical evaluation of your dog for the presence of urothelial carcinoma/bladder cancer
  • standard of care treatment (for dogs diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma/bladder cancer, which may include chemotherapy)
  • a daily dietary supplement or placebo
  • periodic clinical re-evaluation of your dog

Enrollment Start

03/01/2022

Enrollment Finish

12/31/2024

Eligibility

To be eligible for enrollment a dog must either:

a) have been diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma/bladder cancer within the past six weeks, and have not begun chemotherapy

OR

b) be aged six years or older, with no obvious signs of urothelial carcinoma/bladder cancer (such as straining to urinate, blood in the urine) AND be from one of the following breeds: American Eskimo Dog, Beagle, Russell Terrier, Parson Russell Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Shetland Sheepdog, West Highland White Terrier 

Flyer

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Contact

UCClinicalTrials@ncsu.edu