First Coast Veterinary Specialists & Emergency (FCVS)
At First Coast Veterinary Specialists & Emergency, we are committed to advancing veterinary medicine through active participation in clinical research. By contributing to innovative studies, we help shape the future of animal health, improve patient outcomes, and uphold our mission of delivering the highest quality care.
Our involvement in clinical trials allows us to offer eligible patients access to leading-edge diagnostics and treatments—often at no cost—while helping pioneer medical breakthroughs that benefit pets everywhere.
Open Clinical Studies for Pets
K9-ACV Study
Current Status: Open
Clinical Trial for Dogs with Osteosarcoma Investigating an Autologous Cancer Vaccine + Checkpoint Inhibitor.
About the Study:
Designed to compare the safety and efficacy of K9-ACV + checkpoint inhibitor vs. standard-of-care carboplatin chemotherapy.
K9-ACV has been safely used in over 2,000 canine patients.
Previous studies (without the checkpoint inhibitor) have demonstrated strong safety and encouraging outcomes.
This trial reflects a growing focus on biologic therapies that harness the body’s own healing mechanisms—providing a more targeted, immune-driven approach to cancer treatment.
Study Process:
Following amputation, patients are randomized to receive either the K9-ACV combination therapy or carboplatin chemotherapy.
The K9-ACV group receives an intradermal checkpoint inhibitor followed by vaccine administration over three doses, spaced 21 days apart.
Monitoring includes exams, blood work, and imaging at 4, 6, and 8 months.
Inclusion Criteria:
Dogs ≥ 1 year old, ≥ 20 kg
Confirmed diagnosis of Stage IIB appendicular osteosarcoma; histopathology confirmation determined through study following amputation
Good general health, with no recent immunosuppressive or chemotherapeutic treatments
Questions or interest in joining the study? Contact our team at [email protected].
IDEXX/Ethos Oncologic Sample Study
Current Status: Open
Study Goals: IDEXX is working to improve its cancer diagnostic testing. To achieve this, the company is looking to expand and refine its testing options. To make progress, IDEXX needs whole blood and serum samples from three groups of domestic dogs: healthy ones, those with certain cancers, and those with non-cancer-related conditions. These samples will help develop and validate new testing methods.
Ethos PUSH Study (Precision Medicine Umbrella Study for Hemangiosarcoma)
Current Status: Open
Study Goals: The Ethos-PUSH study seeks to deliver a highly advanced program investigating the use of novel drugs for the treatment of hemangiosarcoma (HSA) with the goal of curing this aggressive cancer. Ethos Discovery’s previous work in HSA has taught us that HSA is not a single cancer, but rather at least four different subtypes of cancer, each characterized by a different genomic mutation. Previous studies evaluating drugs for the treatment of HSA have shown variable results, and the discovery of these different subtypes could explain this phenomenon. This study will ask if drugs specifically matched to these genomic subtypes of patients with HSA can improve their outcomes.
Closed Clinical Studies for Pets
FICUSS Study (Feline Idiopathic Cystitis Study)
Current Status: Closed
Study Goals: The FICUSS Study aims to improve the understanding of Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC). Samples collected through this study will help researchers uncover the underlying pathophysiology of the disease, which can then support the development of new diagnostic tools and targeted treatments for affected cats.
