Feline treatment trial · October 23, 2026
Missouri recruits cats for radiation followed by chemotherapy for GI lymphoma
The University of Missouri is enrolling cats with large-cell gastrointestinal lymphoma in a study of whole-abdomen radiation followed by chemotherapy. The question is whether giving radiation first can improve the response to treatment and survival in this aggressive form of feline cancer.
The EveryCat-funded pilot plans to enroll 10 cats. Radiation is given over two days, followed by a COP/DOX chemotherapy protocol. Researchers will track the cats’ response and side effects through examinations, blood tests and imaging. This is an early study; whether the sequence improves outcomes remains to be established.
Which cats may qualify
Cats need confirmed high-grade gastrointestinal lymphoma, with no evidence of lymphoma outside the abdomen. They must not have received chemotherapy; the grant description also specifies no prior radiation. FeLV- or FIV-positive cats and cats with serious illnesses that make general anesthesia higher risk are excluded. The study team makes the final eligibility decision.
This is a different setting from the Texas A&M radiation study we previously covered, which is for small-cell gastrointestinal lymphoma after an insufficient response to standard treatment or relapse. The Missouri protocol is for large-cell disease before chemotherapy.
Costs and visits
The study covers the radiation portion of care and provides a $1,000 credit for use at Missouri’s Veterinary Health Center after radiation is completed. The public listing does not promise full coverage of chemotherapy or screening. Owners should request an itemized estimate for the remaining care and travel.
Treatment takes place in Columbia, Missouri. The hospital lists weekly visits for at least eight weeks, then five more visits at three-week intervals; radiation is given during the first week.
Owners and referring veterinarians can contact the Oncology Clinical Trials Service at cvmclinicaltrials@missouri.edu or 573-882-7821, specifying the feline GI lymphoma radiation and chemotherapy study.
Read the official Missouri study listing · Read the EveryCat grant summary