Using MRI to guide cryotherapy and deliver immune therapy for treating canine osteosarcoma

MRI-Guided Cryoablation and Imaging-Guided Intratumoral Delivery of STING Agonist Immunotherapy to Target Localized and Metastatic Canine Osteosarcoma

NIH-funded research Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10835961

This study is testing a new way to treat osteosarcoma in dogs by using a special cooling technique to freeze the tumor and then giving an injection to help the dog's immune system fight any leftover cancer cells, all to help improve the health of dogs with this tough cancer.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-10835961 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a new treatment for osteosarcoma (OSA) in dogs by combining MRI-guided cryotherapy with the injection of an immune-boosting agent directly into the tumor. The approach aims to not only destroy the tumor cells but also stimulate the dog's immune system to recognize and attack any remaining cancer cells. By conducting a clinical trial on dogs with non-metastatic OSA, the researchers will gather important data on how these therapies work together and their effects on the immune response. This innovative method seeks to improve outcomes for dogs suffering from this aggressive cancer.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are dogs diagnosed with non-metastatic appendicular osteosarcoma.

Not a fit: Dogs with metastatic osteosarcoma or other unrelated health issues may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for canine osteosarcoma, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life for affected dogs.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is innovative, similar strategies combining cryotherapy and immunotherapy have shown promise in other cancer types, suggesting potential for success in this context.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.