Certified Veterinary Technician

Rebecca Kamerer is a Certified Veterinary Technician with a wealth of experience in veterinary oncology. She began her journey with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s oncology program in 2004. In 2014, Rebecca stepped into the pivotal role of Oncology Clinical Trials Coordinator, where she helped expand the team from a single principal investigator to a trio of researchers. In her current role, Rebecca coordinates a diverse range of clinical trials aimed at battling cancer, utilizing cutting-edge treatments like immunotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy.

Clinical Trials in Veterinary Oncology: Overview of Current Clinical Trials and Special Focus on Canine Osteosarcoma

The University of Illinois veterinary oncology clinical trials service leads cutting-edge research to improve the diagnosis and treatment of companion animal cancers. In the first hour session, Dr. Matthew Berry, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Oncology) and Rebecca Kamerer, CVT will provide an overview of the oncology clinical trials team, communication lines for practitioners looking to refer cases, and broad overview of current clinical trials. In the second hour session, Dr. Berry will discuss the latest recommendations in the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of canine appendicular osteosarcoma and provide a more in-depth view of current osteosarcoma clinical trials at U. of I. Case examples will be used to help practitioners understand utility of cytology, review biologic behavior and devise pain management plans. Historical and new osteosarcoma treatments will be reviewed, and key communication points will help practitioners be able to discuss this diagnosis with pet owners and help prepare them for referral.