Research in Urinary Care

Transplantation Immunology within Advanced Urinary Care

Rejection of major histocompatibility unmatched, allogeneic tissues and cells are a significant barrier to successful organ transplant and off-the-shelf, genetically engineered adoptive T cell therapies. Overcoming this barrier by exploiting the beneficial effects of immune regulatory cell would enable more patients to receive life-saving organ transplants or adoptive T cell therapies that have the potential to cure patients with hematological and solid cancers.

Our clinical research team within Penn Vet's Advanced Urinary Care service includes translational immunologists, transplant immunologists and surgeons, and extracorporeal therapy criticalists who are exploring the adoptive transfer of immune regulatory cell types such as regulatory T cells (Tregs) and iNKT cells to promote immune tolerance.

Our group has significant expertise in transplant immunology and renal transplant surgery and in the generation and use of adoptive cellular therapies in canine cancer patients.

Our goal is to apply our combined expertise to develop canine immune regulatory cellular therapies that can be used either alone or in combination with other immunomodulatory platforms to enable successful allogeneic renal transfer in canines with chronic renal failure.

Clinical Trials

Untargeted plasma metabolomics and biomarker, DNA, and microbiome assessments in cats with and without chronic kidney disease

Sep 9, 2022, 13:20 PM

Short description:

This study is looking to identify unique biomarkers in cats with chronic kidney disease and improve outcomes.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major cause of illness in cats, especially as they age. The rate of progression in cats varies from months to years and can often be managed through medical interventions, as well as lifestyle changes including diet. While the disease can be controlled, it is important to understand the underlying causes in an effort to delay onset and develop novel treatments. In this study, we are collecting blood, urine, saliva, and fecal samples in order to identify biomarkers that are unique to these patients. Biomarkers are measurable substances in a living patient that indicate the presence of a specific disease. The goal of the study is to improve outcomes for cats with chronic kidney disease.

Study Duration:

If your cat is enrolled as a healthy control, you will be asked to bring your cat in for one study visit.

If your cat has CKD, you will be asked to bring your cat to a total of 5 study visits over a period of 12 months. A physical examination, blood pressure, blood work, urinalysis, UPC, ultrasound, and radiographs will be performed at these visits.

Eligibility:

Cats cannot have a history of heart disease requiring diuretics, beta blockers, antithrombotics, or antiarrhythmics (cats with murmurs and asymptomatic heart disease are allowed).
Cats cannot have a history of uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, cancer, or other clinically significant extra-renal diseases.
Cats cannot receive therapy with corticosteroids
Cats must be 7 years of age or older to participate
Owners must be willing to bring their cat into 5 scheduled visits over 1 year
Cat must be amendable to handling in hospital

Benefits:

The study will pay for the cost of the study specific procedures including physical exams, blood and urine processing, as well as any imaging, as outlined in the consent form. All diagnostic results are available to the owner and primary veterinarian for continued monitoring of disease progression and overall health.

Contact:

For inquiries regarding this trial, please call 215-573-0302 or email vcic@vet.upenn.edu to further discuss trial specifics. Victoria Anders is the primary clinical research nurse for this trial.

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