Clinical Services
Oncology
Veterinary oncology is the study and treatment of cancer in dogs, cats and other exotic and domestic animals. The OVC Oncology service thrives off of a team-based approach to oncology cases. They aim to provide a good quality of life to their patients and to prolong survival. To ensure a varied and effective range of treatment options, multiple collaborations and consultations will occur within a veterinary oncology team. This team consists of a radiation oncologist, surgical oncologist and medical oncologists. Currently, the OVC Oncology service offers local treatment (surgery and radiation therapy) and systemic treatment (chemotherapy and immunotherapy). To learn more about the OVC Oncology service, please click here, and for the Institute of Comparative Cancer Investigation, click here.
Exploring a Novel Nanoparticle Combined with Light Therapy to Treat Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Cats
Scientific Title: Pilot evaluation of liposome-based nanoparticles (Porphysomes) and phototherapy for feline and canine solid tumours: oral subproject
Study Investigator: Dr. Michelle Oblak
Surgery may not always be the best option for cats with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) as it is challenging to obtain adequate clear surgical margins and often, the disease reoccurs. Adjuvant therapies including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and palliative options are ineffective or poorly tolerated and do not improve the overall survival rate of cats with OCSCC. We need to make improvements to staging and treatment. PORPHYSOME-enabled therapies can have an immediate impact on cancer management providing better patient outcomes.
This project is part of the Veterinary Medical Innovation Platform aligned with Dr Michelle Oblak’s research chair with OVC and Animal Health Partners.
Inclusion criteria:
Cats with a confirmed diagnosis of OCSCC
Ontario Veterinary College Veterinary Biobank
Formerly the Companion Animal (Cats and Dogs) Tumour Sample Bank
Study Investigator: Drs. Michelle Oblak and Geoff Wood
Biobanks are important for research that connects animal and human medicine, narrowing the knowledge gap between these two fields. The Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) Veterinary Biobank is part of the Institute for Comparative Cancer Investigation. Since 2009, over 30,000 samples have been gathered from over 2000 pets with the goal to improve the health’s of our pets. We have a diverse collection of tumour samples, including soft tissue sarcoma, osteosarcoma, mast cell tumours, mammary sarcoma, lymphoma.
Our biobank and its repository of samples are essential to our understanding of the disease processes, finding better treatments and diagnostic methods as well as predicting how individuals may respond to treatment. To learn more about our biobank or how to access samples for your research, use our Contact Us tab!
Inclusion criteria:
- Animals visiting the OVC Health Sciences Centre or Smith Lane Animal Hospital undergoing surgery and/or sample collection
- Participating animals can be healthy or diagnosed with a disease