Veterinary Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (VRTOG)
section content
VRTOG Executive Committee
- Dr. Nick Rancilio, Chair
- Dr. Isebelle Vanhaezebrouck, Assistant Chair
- Dr. Kim Selting
- Dr. Michele Keyerleber, Ex-Officio; RO President
VRTOG Objectives
- To identify a group of clinical radiation oncology investigative centers dedicated to the principle of cooperative clinical trials and other research to improve the survival of animals with cancer.
- To establish standardized treatment, reporting and quality assurance parameters so that uniformity exists in treatment plans, dosimetry and reproducibility of outcome in participating centers.
- To define the minimum standards of radiation and ancillary equipment needed for participation in VRTOG clinical trials.
- To facilitate collection of long-term follow-up information on the results of radiation therapy and any associated complications.
- To decrease morbidity from cancer and its treatments by conserving tissue structure and function through careful integration of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other cancer treatment modalities.
- To critically evaluate new methods of cancer treatment to improve local-regional control and survival.
- To enhance the efficacy of radiation therapy through modified fractionation and/or adjunctive chemical and/or biologic therapies.
- To collaborate with other clinical cooperative groups in investigations of uncommon malignant diseases to advance knowledge of efficacious treatment protocols.
- To correlate laboratory findings with treatment outcomes: (a) to better understand the fundamental nature of malignant processes, (b) to predict responsiveness of tumors to radiation therapy, cytotoxic chemotherapy and biological therapies, (c) to predict and minimize adverse effects of treatment.
VRTOG Membership
The participating institutions shall have the capability and interest to participate in cooperative group activities. The membership list shall be updated yearly by the Chair posted on the VRTOG webpage of the ACVR website.
A principal investigator will be identified at each institution.
A professional team consisting of a board-certified veterinary radiation oncologist and adequate technical support is required.
Participating institutions must have access to appropriate board-certified coinvestigators (medical oncologists, surgeons, pathologists, internists, neurologists, radiologists) when required by approved protocols in which they will be participating.
Institutions shall make a meaningful contribution to the group in terms of protocol design and development, case numbers, participation in standing and ad hoc committees and in writing of scientific reviews and publications.
The institution shall have treatment equipment including a teletherapy unit, the capability to provide appropriate dose distribution information and systems for patient data recording and retrieval.
The institution must maintain routine dosimetry, calibration and treatment planning procedures.
Record systems must include an initial evaluation; anatomical drawing or photo of lesion and staging; goal of therapy; prescription; daily treatment dose sheets; description of technical factors including patient diameter, treatment distance, field size, beam energy, arrangement, depth dose, etc.; isodose distribution and irregular field point calculations when required; drawings or photographs of treatment portals; copy of pathology reports; treatment summary; follow-up data.
A yearly institute fee of $100 shall be collected. Monies generated will be used for appropriate trial funding (see article 4.6) and VRTOG administrative costs.
Past VRTOG Clinical Studies
- Multimodality treatment including ONCEPT for canine oral melanoma: A retrospective analysis of 131 dogs
- A prospective, multi-centre, Veterinary Radiation Therapy Oncology Group study reveals potential efficacy of toceranib phosphate (Palladia) as a primary or adjuvant agent in the treatment of canine nasal carcinoma