This study will be the first to assess whether Solensia, in combination with meloxicam, provides superior pain relief compared to meloxicam alone. Meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is a standard-of-care option for alleviating pain in cats, recommended by the oncologists at Penn Vet. All participating cats will receive this standard palliative medication. Additionally, they will be randomly assigned to receive either the monoclonal antibody against nerve growth factor (Solensia) or a placebo (saline injection). Recently, Solensia has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of feline arthritis pain.

Eligibility:

• Cat with diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) affecting the mandible or maxillary bone. Cytologic or histologic diagnosis is adequate.
• Tumor causes secondary bone lysis on CT imaging.
• Free of pulmonary and lymph node metastasis
• Cats cannot receive chemotherapy, immunotherapy, anti-NGF therapy or radiation therapy in the previous 3 weeks prior to enrollment.
• Cats cannot have significant cardiac, pulmonary, or renal dysfunction precluding anesthesia or meloxicam use.
• Cats must be amenable to handling in a hospital setting and owner must be willing to give oral sedation medications prior to vet visits if recommended.
• Owners must be willing to complete questionnaires weekly assessing their cat.
• Owners must bring their cat to 6 visits over 56 days to Penn Vet (located in University City, PA)

Study Procedures:

• Cats enrolled receive standard of care palliative medication
• Cat receives the following diagnostics covered by the study:
  • CT scan before and after treatment
  • Exam fees and blood work for all study visits
  • Medications (Meloxicam +/- Solensia)
  • Cytology of one site

Cats enrolled in this study will remain in the study for approximately 2 months; there will be at least 6 visits to Penn Vet during that time. You will be asked to fill out questionnaires weekly to determine any changes in pain in all visits starting on Visit 2.

Please contact study coordinator, June DiBona, at jdibona@upenn.edu, or call 215-573-6610 for more information.