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You are here: Home / Dogs / Widget’s Experimental Lymphoma Drug

Widget’s Experimental Lymphoma Drug

June 4, 2014

Widget at Tufts

Just over a month ago, I was researching online a couple of the final “rescue” chemotherapies our oncologist said we could still try with Widget. We had gone through all of the standard protocols by that point, and Widget’s lymphoma was not responding to them any longer. The last ones in the oncology “toolkit” didn’t have great success rates (generally less than 40%), and for a dog whose lymphoma was proving resistant, we wondered if it was worth it for Widget. In the process of doing this research I somehow came across a website about a new, experimental drug to treat canine lymphoma.

It was still in the trial stage, with various clinical studies underway around the country, and was called VDC-1101. It was initially developed by a pharmaceutical company, Gilead Sciences, as a drug to treat lymphoma in humans — here’s a press release that describes the interesting history and how it became focused instead on treating canine lymphoma. The company that has acquired the rights to the’the drug, VetDC, said that their trials in dogs?are achieving?a 77% success rate.

None of the veterinary teaching hospitals or oncology clinics currently conducting studies’that were listed on the website were anywhere near us — as I recall, the closest was in Georgia. So I emailed an executive at VetDC?and asked if our own oncologist could get the drug for Widget outside of a trial setting for “compassionate use,” or if there were any other trials near us that weren’t listed on the site. The executive was kind enough to email back the very next day, telling me’that there was in fact a trial underway at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine near Boston, and she copied the Tufts oncologist running the trial on her email to me. Our oncologist at Peak, Dr. Kendra Knapik, then got in touch with the?Tufts oncologist, Dr. Kristine Burgess, who was willing to get Widget enrolled in the trial.

It took a month to get everything arranged, and during this time Dr. Knapik continued to treat Widget with other chemo drugs to try and slow the advance of her lymphoma. We were trying to buy enough time to get her to the trial. Finally, yesterday I was able to take Widget down to Tufts to have’this experimental drug administered. In the photo above with Widget is Dr. Felicia Lew, an oncology resident who works with Dr. Burgess, conducting a physical exam as part of the intake process. Dr. Lew and Dr. Burgess told me yesterday they are very impressed with the results they are seeing in treating canine lymphoma with this new drug, and that it is well tolerated by their patients with very few side effects.

In pulling up the website for the drug this morning to include in this post, I see the company has just given the medication a new marketing brand name instead of the VDC-1101 designation: Tanovea. This must be very recent, because at Tufts yesterday everyone was still referring to it as VDC-1101.

After running a few more tests to get a baseline on Widget for the study, Dr. Lew administered the drug to her in a 30-minute long infusion. Later, when I carried Widget out of the hospital in the afternoon and set her down on the grass in the shade of a tree to run around for a bit, she did exactly that. Her head was up, her tail was up, and she was alert and sniffing both the grass and the air. Usually after having chemotherapy she’s quiet and subdued, a little “lost” acting. I was surprised by how active she was this time. Last night, after we got home, she was ready to eat dinner and had already enjoyed a few treats on the four-hour drive back to the farm. Today she’s kind of her usual self. So my initial impression is that this particular drug?does seem easier on her than many of the others she’s had. Whether it’s going to work or not we probably won’t know for several more days. If all goes well, her next treatment at Tufts is scheduled for three weeks from now.

—

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Comments

  1. Jennifer says

    June 4, 2014 at 12:33 pm

    Oh Widget!!! We are all praying this works for you!!! Hands and paws in constant prayer.

    Your Fans…..

    Paul, Jennifer, Kaylee, Ella Bella, Kelsey, Winnie, and Jewels. : )

  2. Shirley and James says

    June 4, 2014 at 12:40 pm

    Love you Widget!!

  3. Morgan says

    June 4, 2014 at 1:09 pm

    Hugs and kisses to the very first blind dog I met. Saving Widget led me to Rolling Dog and being able to save so many other blind beagles. Hang in there Widget! We’re not ready to let you go yet!

  4. Lynn (in Louisiana) says

    June 4, 2014 at 1:23 pm

    What hopeful, happy news. I’ve got my fingers crossed for you Widget!!

  5. FELICIA says

    June 4, 2014 at 1:26 pm

    I HATE TO SAY WIDGET IS LUCKY BUT ALL CONSIDERING, SHE IS, THE MOST LOVED & CARED FOR DOG. HERE’S HOPING THIS WORKS WELL FOR ALL OF YOU.

  6. Bob says

    June 4, 2014 at 2:15 pm

    Thanks for going tio such lengths for the COO of RDF. I know you would do it for any of the gang. You have painted such a detailed picture of Widget that I’m sure many readers like myselff feel a special bond. It helps that we have one present and one past rescue beagle and see some of them in the Widg. Give her a rubbie for us.

  7. Shirley M and dachshunds Dieter and Phoebe Ann says

    June 4, 2014 at 2:34 pm

    Was SO happy to read this post! Have been sending wishes to the universe for Widget to be included in the study and am most thankful!! Sending more energy to Widget for positive results and to both Steve and Alayne for their continuing devotion and dedication to all of the rolling dogs!

  8. Kathy Hertzel says

    June 4, 2014 at 3:08 pm

    I’m saying extra prayers for Widget.

  9. Miranda Brooks says

    June 4, 2014 at 4:23 pm

    Between the new drug and prayers and good thoughts being sent out by everyone, something positive must be about to happen. Fingers crossed and prayers sent with the others. Get well Widget!

  10. Boundforglory says

    June 4, 2014 at 4:25 pm

    I feel very optimistic about Widget’s new treatment/drug and I really do hope
    my optimism turns out to be true. Widget has a lot more rolling around and
    woo-woo entertaining to do. : ))

  11. Tonya Allen says

    June 4, 2014 at 5:07 pm

    Oh, this is great news. Being able to participate in the trial, and at a location not too far away, and Widget tolerating the drug well, are all great. Only having to have the treatment every 3 weeks is another plus. Now she just has to set her sights on being one of the 77%. Given her personality, I’m sure she’ll succeed!

  12. Janet in Cambridge MA says

    June 4, 2014 at 7:08 pm

    Woo-woo, Widget!!

  13. Carol says

    June 4, 2014 at 7:55 pm

    On behalf of my beloved dog who I lost to this dreadful disease, I’m sending best wishes and thanks to Widget and you for being proactive and brave and paving the way so that others in the future can be spared the usual fate of lymphoma sufferers. Wooo Widget!

  14. Mike Marshall says

    June 4, 2014 at 7:58 pm

    Cautiously optimistic. All digits crossed.
    Mike

  15. Penny Heinrich says

    June 4, 2014 at 9:56 pm

    Kick that cancer in the butt-ski and tell it to get out of dodge!

  16. Gayle says

    June 5, 2014 at 9:47 am

    The face and heart of the Farm, nothing butprayers and happy thoughts going out to you!

  17. Linda P. says

    June 5, 2014 at 10:53 am

    Good luck to Widget! Thanks for all you do for these dogs.

  18. Phyllis Snow says

    June 5, 2014 at 11:38 pm

    I have my toes and fingers crossed for this new protocol for Widget. Sven and Redd ( our dogs )join my husband and me with their multiple toes crossed. This new drug sounds very promising. Go for it gang!

  19. Margaret says

    June 6, 2014 at 4:39 pm

    Widge- I gotta feeling- good things. Too many good folks in your corner and lucky stars aligning.
    You’re a very special, lucky girl, and have the best “peeps”! Go Widge!

  20. Linda Murphy says

    June 7, 2014 at 7:46 pm

    Will be waiting to hear how Widget is doing, and with prayer and long distance wishes for a continued good result.

  21. Ann says

    June 7, 2014 at 11:26 pm

    Will be saying extra prayers and sending good vibes to Widget. This new drug sounds very promising and I’m sure we’ll be hearing good news soon! 🙂

  22. Lorna G says

    June 10, 2014 at 1:59 pm

    Love and Prayers to you Widget. You have heart and grit. Praying for you and your “mom and dad”.

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