Therapies & Trials
Current Trial
Interested in one of our clinical trials?
Use of the PI3K inhibitor copanlisib to treat splenic hemangiosarcoma
Oct 6, 2022
The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and ability of copanlisib to prolong survival times in dogs with hemangiosarcoma. We have found that hemangiosarcoma is frequently “driven” by mutations in a gene called PI3K and that this leads to the cancer cells growing. The drug copanlisib inhibits the PI3K gene pathway and as such it may slow down the growth of cancer cells.
In contrast to standard of care chemotherapy, copanlisib should specifically target cells with the PI3K mutation blocking their ability to grow and divide. The overall study design includes a dose escalation scheme to determine the most effective and best tolerated dose of copanlisib. Each patient will be assigned to a specific dose of copanlisib which will be given once a week for three weeks and then one week off. This four-week cycle will be repeated for a total of four cycles. Once four cycles are completed, the patients will have five follow-up visits over the first year to determine whether the cancer has returned. All costs related to the study, including the drug, will be covered by the study.
Eligibility
- Hemangiosarcoma restricted to the spleen, which has been treated with surgical removal prior to study
- No evidence of metastatic disease
- Weighing at least 10 kgs (22 pounds)
- Have an adequate number of red blood cells (>/= 22% packed cell volume)
- Not currently undergoing treatment for cancer including chemotherapy or alternative/holistic medications or supplements
- No other significant health concerns that are an immediate threat to life (including but not limited to kidney, liver, or heart disease, or problems with blood clotting)
Please contact the VCIC at 215-573-0302 or vcic@vet.upenn.edu for more information about this study.