Recruiting in Washington · September 27, 2026

BARC is recruiting dogs and cats for cancer treatment trials

Illustrative cover showing a dog and a cat beside the BARC cancer trials headline and Edmonds clinic address

Bridge Animal Referral Center (BARC) in Edmonds, Washington, lists three current cancer treatment studies. One accepts selected dogs and cats; the other two are for dogs. The diagnosis alone does not establish eligibility: tumor location, size, stage and previous treatment can matter.

Gold nanoparticles and laser heating: dogs and cats

In this study, gold nanoparticles are given intravenously, then the superficial tumor is heated with a near-infrared laser. BARC lists dogs with mast cell tumors, soft tissue sarcomas or selected melanomas, with different size limits for each. Eligible cats may have oral squamous cell carcinoma that does not involve bone, or certain other superficial skin tumors, including mast cell tumors, sarcomas and carcinomas. BARC has not published current funding terms for this study. Its clinical benefit has not been established.

Intratumoral carboplatin: dogs with superficial SCC

BARC is also enrolling dogs with non-metastatic superficial squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) to test a new carboplatin formulation injected directly into the tumor. It is designed for longer local activity, but whether it improves tumor control has not yet been established.

Dogs need a confirmed SCC diagnosis and at least one measurable lesion 1 cm or larger. BARC requires chest imaging and lymph-node assessment to check for spread. Previous chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiation for cancer excludes participation; significant illness or abnormal blood counts may also rule a dog out. BARC says study treatments and associated procedures are fully funded. The team can clarify any costs outside the study.

EGFR/HER2 vaccine: selected dog cancers

BARC also lists active enrollment for an experimental EGFR/HER2 peptide vaccine. The clinic names osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma and transitional cell carcinoma among the dog cancers it considers; some other tumor types require a records review. This is a participating site in a broader vaccine study already listed in Vet Trial Finder, not a second copy of that trial. Ask BARC about eligibility and costs for this site.

Location and contact: Bridge Animal Referral Center, Edmonds, Washington · 425-697-2272

Read the official BARC study information

Check these and other current cancer treatment trials in Vet Trial Finder

Published: September 27, 2026

Recruitment status checked: September 27, 2026

Source: Bridge Animal Referral Center.

Editorial disclosure: Prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by Yuliia Dizhur. Trial eligibility and enrollment decisions are made by the study team.