At Toby’s Hope, we’re committed to keeping our community informed about the latest advancements in veterinary cancer care. We’re excited to share that a new clinical trial utilizing gold nanoparticles paired with infrared laser heat is now enrolling patients at Bridge Animal Referral Center (BARC) in Edmonds, WA. This innovative approach offers a promising treatment for pets with specific tumor types, providing a minimally invasive alternative to traditional methods.

Who is eligible?

This trial is open to dogs and cats diagnosed with superficial tumors. Eligible cases include:

Dogs with:

• Large mast cell tumors (>2 cm)
• Soft tissue sarcomas (<2 cm in diameter)
• Oral melanoma (2-3 cm diameter)
• Cutaneous or footpad melanoma (<2 cm)

How does it work?

This trial leverages gold nanoparticles, which are injected intravenously (IV). After an initial period, the patient returns to undergo infrared laser heating, which excites the nanoparticles. This process:

✔ Converts laser energy into heat, targeting the tumor internally

✔ Disrupts tumor vasculature, cutting off its blood supply

✔ Effectively destroys the tumor from the inside out

For smaller tumors, one session of laser heat is typically sufficient. Larger tumors—such as sarcomas—may require 2-3 sessions on average.

Now Enrolling Patients!

If you’re a pet parent or a veterinary professional with a potential case, or if you’d like to learn more about this cutting-edge treatment, please contact 425-697-2272.

More details available here: BARC Seattle Clinical Trials

At Toby’s Hope, we’re dedicated to providing hope, resources, and support for pets and their families navigating cancer. Stay tuned for more updates on innovative treatments!