Treatment for brain cancer for other patients.”įor animal owners interested in exploring clinical trials, Dr. “Her owner is committed obviously not only to Fiona’s health, but also to contributing to medical research in general and advancing the “Fiona makes this possible because Fiona’s owner makes this possible,” says Dr. Dow says that this kind of valuable medical research would not be possible without dedicated owners like Michelle. Pediatric bone cancer trials, so we’re hopeful that the brain cancer work that Fiona’s a part of will also lead to treatments for kids with brain cancer.”ĭr. Steven Dow, Board-certified Veterinary Internist and head of the clinical trial. “The trial Fiona is a part of actually came out of our work with bone cancer in dogs,” explains CSU Professor Dr. Gliomas are one of the most common brain tumors in children, and researchers are hopeful that the vaccine Fiona received can one day be used to treat She’s responded so well to the treatment.”įiona’s success is not only promising for veterinary medicine, but for human medicine as well. Since her original diagnosis, which is absolutely incredible. “Fiona’s case stands out primarily just because she has had such a great success,” says Breonna Kusick, Neurology Clinical Trials Coordinator at CSU and one of Fiona’s biggest fans. It’s safe to say that Michelle never expected that after receiving her first vaccine in July of 2019, Fiona would still be enjoying a happy and active life nearly three years later. "We’re hopeful that the brain cancer work that Fiona’s a part of will also lead to treatments for kids with brain cancer." To giving Fiona her best possible chance at a longer life, despite not knowing how much more time she would get. Though it was a significant commitment for Michelle and a long trip to make each month, she was dedicated Once it was confirmed that Fiona’s tumor was indeed a glioma, she began receiving the vaccine via injection during monthly visits to the FACC. She and the team at the FACC were hopeful that by participating in the study, Fiona would survive beyond her initial prognosis while contributing to the future of treatment for dogs with “We decided to go ahead and enroll,” Michelle says. The trial would test a tumor vaccine that, when given in combination with other medications, researchers hoped would teach the body to attack cancer cells in glioma tumors. The clinical trial in question was developed at the Flint Animal Cancer Center (FACC) at CSU to study a potential new treatment for dogs with gliomas, which are a particularly aggressive type of brain tumor typically only treatable with radiation, surgery, “They said ‘we do have a clinical trial, if it is a glioma brain tumor, then we have this option,’” Michelle recalls. That’s when participation in a clinical trial was first suggested. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital, which was further from her home but well-equipped to treat Fiona.Īt her visit to CSU, Michelle met with a team of veterinary specialists to determine what Fiona’s treatment plan would be going forward. Reached out to the Neurology service at Colorado State University’s (CSU) James L. Knowing she didn’t have time to waste, Michelle “The median survival for gliomas that are untreated is about five weeks in dogs.” Even with treatment, dogs with gliomas typically survive only 3-12 months.ĭevastated by this news but ready to fight, Michelle planned to pursue radiation therapy but experienced a setback when the necessary equipment at a local specialty practice was down for maintenance. “Historically, gliomas carry a very poor prognosis,” Dr. She immediately took Fiona to a local specialty practice for an MRI, which revealed a tumor on the Boxer’s brain that was suspected to be a glioma. Having fostered and rescued dogs throughout her life, Michelle had been through multiple illnesses and diseases with her dogs before and knew about the availability Her journey started in 2019, when the then eight-year-old Fiona began to have seizures. "The median survival rate for gliomas that are untreated is about five weeks in dogs." “Most people can’t look at her and not smile,” her owner Michelle Beston says.Ĭonsidering how much joy Fiona radiates, you would never guess that she’s battling a serious form of brain cancer. The all-white Boxer is completely deaf, with one blue eye, one brown one and a permanent goofy grin. Rebecca Packer, Board-certified Veterinary Neurologist. “She’s just so happy and excited to see us,” says Dr. Fiona the Boxer is a bit of a celebrity at Colorado State University's Flint Animal Cancer Center.
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