Targeted therapy clinical trials for dogs and cats
Targeted therapies are drugs or drug combinations chosen to interfere with a particular cancer pathway or molecular target. This section includes both established veterinary drugs being studied in new settings and experimental agents.
14current studies and treatment programs in this category
A drug being called targeted does not mean it will work for every tumor with the same diagnosis. Some studies require a biopsy, measurable progression or a specific molecular finding.
Current listings
One study may appear under more than one treatment type when it combines approaches. Review the full eligibility criteria and confirm current enrollment with the study team.
Phase II trametinib for dogs with histiocytic sarcoma
University of Florida · USA
Currently enrolling
What is being offered: UF's oncology master page does not currently list this study, but the direct official UF protocol page still states that it is currently enrolling. Multicenter Phase II trametinib study. Published recruitment criteria require a measurable tumor, no concurrent anticancer therapy, at least a 2-week washout after chemotherapy, and at least a 4-week washout after radiation therapy.
Who may qualify: Confirmed cancer diagnosis required; Active tumor required; Measurable; chemotherapy washout: 14 days; radiation washout: 28 days
May not qualify if: Current chemo; Current radiation
Costs / coverage: 🟡 Partially funded — the study covers trametinib, scheduled recheck examinations, research blood/tumor sampling, routine laboratory tests, thoracic radiographs and abdominal ultrasound at scheduled study visits; confirm screening and other owner-paid costs with UF.
Contact: UF Clinical Studies — complete the Study Interest Form on the official trial page; UF Oncology Staff: (352) 392-2235
Location
- UF Small Animal Hospital, 2015 SW 16th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32608
Official study / enrollment information →
Trametinib for canine oral squamous cell carcinoma
Cornell University · USA
Current / recruiting
What is being offered: Dogs seen by Cornell University Hospital for Animals with diagnosed oral SCC are eligible for prescreen. Daily oral trametinib with scheduled follow-up through day 126. Cornell's live Clinical Trials roster and live contact form both currently offer this study.
Who may qualify: Confirmed cancer diagnosis required; Active tumor required
Costs / coverage: 🟢 Fully funded. All study visits, procedures and trametinib are free; dogs completing the study also receive a $1,000 credit toward standard-of-care SCC medical expenses.
Contact: PI Santiago Peralta, DVM, AVDC, FF-AVDC-OMFS; Cornell Dentistry/Oral Surgery or Oncology/Clinical Trials Coordinator, 607-253-3060; vet-research@cornell.edu
Location
- Cornell University Hospital for Animals, 930 Campus Rd, Ithaca, NY 14853
Official study / enrollment information →
CAR T-cell immunotherapy plus verdinexor for canine glioma
Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital · USA
Active - Recruiting
What is being offered: CSU protocol IACUC 5335 enrolls dogs over 10 lb with a presumptive or confirmed glioma. The protocol combines autologous engineered CAR T cells with oral verdinexor; radiation therapy is optional. Dogs may not have received prior chemotherapy or radiation. CSU lists recruitment through December 31, 2028; final neurologic and anesthesia eligibility requires study-team prescreening.
Who may qualify: Active tumor required; Planned radiation; Planned chemo; Min weight kg exclusive: 4.535923700100354
May not qualify if: Prior chemo; Prior radiation
Costs / coverage: 🟢 Fully funded. CSU states that CAR T-cell production and treatment, optional radiation therapy, MRIs, study examinations and bloodwork, and lifetime verdinexor chemotherapy are covered.
Contact: CSU Neurology Clinical Trials — csuneurotrials@colostate.edu; 970-297-4405
Location
- Flint Animal Cancer Center, 300 W Drake Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80523
Official study / enrollment information →
BI705564 oral BTK inhibitor for newly diagnosed canine B-cell lymphoma
Multicenter — University of Missouri + CASE / BI 705564 field trial · USA
Currently enrolling
What is being offered: Investigational oral BTK inhibitor BI705564
Who may qualify: Confirmed cancer diagnosis required; Min weight kg: 10; Max weight kg: 50; Measurable; Min age years exclusive: 1; Peripheral bcell lymphoma stage ii to iv
Costs / coverage: 🟢 Fully funded after enrollment. Screening bloodwork, urinalysis, chest X-rays, abdominal ultrasound, flow cytometry and the IDEXX Cancer Dx Panel are covered; once enrolled, the study is fully funded.
Contact: Missouri Oncology Clinical Trials — 573-882-7821; cvmclinicaltrials@missouri.edu
Participating locations
- University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center, 900 E Campus Dr, Columbia, MO 65211
- Colorado Animal Specialty & Emergency, 2972 Iris Ave, Boulder, CO 80301
Official study / enrollment information →
SINE/Laverdia-CA1 (verdinexor) + carboplatin for canine osteosarcoma
Cornell University · USA
Recruiting
What is being offered: Carboplatin combined with Laverdia-CA1 (verdinexor), a selective inhibitor of nuclear export (SINE)
Who may qualify: Confirmed cancer diagnosis required; Prior surgery; Post amputation; Planned chemo
Costs / coverage: 🟡 Partially funded. Laverdia-CA1 is provided free; sponsor contributes $150 per carboplatin visit (up to $600) and $25 per bloodwork visit (up to $100), with a 10% bill discount. Owners pay all additional costs and unrelated tests/procedures.
Contact: Carol Frederick, Clinical Trials Coordinator; Cornell University Hospital for Animals, (607) 253-3060. Apply through the official study page.
Location
- Cornell University Hospital for Animals, 930 N Campus, Ithaca, NY 14853, Ithaca, NY
Official study / enrollment information →
OncoFAP-MMAE targeted chemotherapy for advanced FAP-positive canine solid tumors
University of Milan Veterinary Teaching Hospital (Lodi) · Italy
Owner-facing Phase I-II clinical study page remains live; contact study team to confirm an open slot
What is being offered: Intravenous OncoFAP-MMAE targeted chemotherapy once weekly for four doses, with CT response assessment.
Who may qualify: Confirmed cancer diagnosis required; Active tumor required; Measurable; Standard therapy unavailable
Costs / coverage: Study covers biopsy/FAP testing, pre- and post-treatment CT, four experimental chemotherapy administrations, and protocol bloodwork; unrelated tests are owner-paid.
Contact: Prof. Damiano Stefanello — damiano.stefanello@unimi.it
Location
- Ospedale Veterinario Universitario, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi LO, Italy
Official study / enrollment information →
Palladia (toceranib) for canine oral melanoma
Ontario Veterinary College — University of Guelph · Canada
Actively recruiting — listed on current OVC canine oncology trials page
What is being offered: Treatment study for biopsy-confirmed canine oral melanoma with measurable disease. OVC states dogs with previous chemotherapy are not eligible; prior melanoma vaccination is allowed. Multiple OVC visits are required.
Who may qualify: Confirmed cancer diagnosis required; Active tumor required; Measurable
May not qualify if: Prior chemo
Costs / coverage: 🟡 Partially funded. The study covers initial staging, Palladia medication and associated dispensing/administration fees.
Contact: OVC Clinical Trials — ovc.clinicaltrials@uoguelph.ca; official study contact form
Location
- Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
Official study / enrollment information →
Lapatinib plus fractionated radiation therapy for canine transitional cell carcinoma
Colorado State University Flint Animal Cancer Center · USA
Actively recruiting — listed on CSU current clinical trials page
What is being offered: Daily oral lapatinib plus NSAID and 15 radiation fractions, with monthly follow-up for three months. Source timetable says 15 daily treatments within seven days of starting pills; this inconsistency requires study-team clarification rather than a guessed schedule.
Who may qualify: Confirmed cancer diagnosis required; Active tumor required; Planned radiation; radiation washout: 42 days; chemotherapy washout: 14 days; Nsaid tolerant
Costs / coverage: 🟡 Partially funded. Lapatinib, recheck examinations, study bloodwork, urinary ultrasounds/sedation and $3,000 toward discounted radiation are covered; some side-effect funding is available. Owners pay initial examination/diagnosis including cystoscopy/biopsy, NSAID medication and radiation costs beyond study support.
Contact: CSU Flint Animal Cancer Center Clinical Trials — (970) 297-4001; online clinical-trial consult form
Location
- Flint Animal Cancer Center, 300 W Drake Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80523
Official study / enrollment information →
Olaparib plus meloxicam for feline mammary carcinoma
University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center · USA
Open and enrolling
What is being offered: Pilot treatment study combining PARP inhibition with meloxicam for measurable feline mammary carcinoma.
Who may qualify: Confirmed cancer diagnosis required; Active tumor required; Min tumor cm: 1
Costs / coverage: 🟡 Partially funded. Screening, study medications and required study visits/labs/imaging are covered; the study also provides a $2,000 surgical credit and up to $1,000 for study-medication complications.
Contact: University of Minnesota Clinical Investigation Center — 612-624-2485; Canine Brain Tumor Program clinical-trials coordinator Sara Pracht
Location
- University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center, 1365 Gortner Ave, St Paul, MN 55108
Official study / enrollment information →
Palbociclib for selected progressive canine solid tumors
Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine · USA
Actively recruiting — confirmed on the institution’s current clinical-trials page
What is being offered: Dose-finding oral palbociclib treatment study for measurable progressive mammary carcinoma, SCC, histiocytic sarcoma, AGASACA or melanoma; prior cancer treatment is allowed if disease is progressing.
Who may qualify: Confirmed cancer diagnosis required; Active tumor required; Measurable; Progressive
Costs / coverage: After owner-paid initial exam/screening, up to two months of trial treatment including biopsy, rechecks, bloodwork and chemotherapy are funded.
Contact: Auburn Oncology Service — (334) 844-4690; onco@auburn.edu
Location
- Bailey Small Animal Teaching Hospital, 1220 Wire Rd, Auburn, AL 36849
Official study / enrollment information →
PSMA-MMAE-Pc413 theranostic plus laser for canine prostatic cancer
University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine · USA
Current Penn Vet clinical trial
What is being offered: Targeted investigational PSMA ligand carrying MMAE and a photosensitizer, combined with laser photodynamic therapy; intended for local and metastatic canine prostatic cancer.
Who may qualify: Active tumor required; Prostatic cancer; Prostatic diagnosis at screening
Costs / coverage: 🟢 Fully funded study procedures. The study covers specified diagnostics after enrollment, theranostic infusions, laser treatment, hospitalization and study rechecks including imaging and laboratory testing.
Contact: Penn Vet VCIC — 215-573-0302; vcic@vet.upenn.edu
Location
- Penn Vet Ryan Veterinary Hospital, 3900 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Official study / enrollment information →
Pilot clinical trial of trametinib treatment in dogs with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
Colorado State University Flint Animal Cancer Center · USA
Actively recruiting — listed on CSU current clinical trials page
What is being offered: Pilot anti-cancer treatment study of trametinib in naturally occurring canine acute myeloid leukemia. Full protocol eligibility requires CSU prescreening.
Who may qualify: Confirmed cancer diagnosis required; Active tumor required; Circulating leukemia cells
May not qualify if: Current chemo
Costs / coverage: 🟡 Partially funded. Study trametinib and prednisone, study-related diagnostic monitoring and sample shipping are covered. The source does not state that initial leukemia diagnosis or unrelated care is covered; confirm the individual owner estimate with CSU.
Contact: CSU Flint Animal Cancer Center Clinical Trials — (970) 297-4001; online clinical-trial consult form
Location
- Flint Animal Cancer Center, 300 W Drake Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80523
Official study / enrollment information →
Oral verdinexor chemotherapy for canine brain tumors
Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital · USA
Active - Recruiting
What is being offered: CSU protocol IACUC 6276 enrolls dogs weighing at least 10 kg (22 lb) with an MRI-confirmed brain tumor, particularly glioma, that are otherwise healthy. Dogs receive oral verdinexor twice weekly for six months and return on Days 1, 7, 21 and 42 and at Months 3 and 6. Prior chemotherapy or radiation excludes enrollment; final neurologic and anesthesia eligibility requires study-team prescreening.
Who may qualify: Active tumor required; Min weight kg: 10; Planned chemo
May not qualify if: Prior chemo; Prior radiation
Costs / coverage: 🟡 Partially funded. Owners pay a one-time $700 enrollment fee; CSU covers study chemotherapy, examinations, bloodwork and follow-up MRIs.
Contact: Breonna Kusick — breonna.kusick@colostate.edu; 970-297-4405
Location
- Flint Animal Cancer Center, 300 W Drake Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80523
Official study / enrollment information →
Lapatinib for feline transitional cell carcinoma
University of Tokyo Veterinary Medical Center · Japan
Currently enrolling on the official clinical-research page
What is being offered: Veterinarian-led trial for cats diagnosed or suspected to have bladder or urethral transitional cell carcinoma. Cats must not have received chemotherapy, radiation or tumor-removal surgery; NSAIDs are allowed. Owners give oral lapatinib once daily and return to Tokyo approximately every four weeks for response and safety assessment.
Who may qualify: Active tumor required
May not qualify if: Prior chemo; Prior radiation; Prior surgery
Costs / coverage: 🟡 Partially funded. The official page states that part of the study-drug cost is waived; owners should confirm other clinical costs with the center.
Contact: University of Tokyo Veterinary Medical Center — 03-5841-5420
Location
- University of Tokyo Veterinary Medical Center, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan, Bunkyo, Tokyo
Official study / enrollment information →
