New Veterinary Research and Oncology Clinic at UT Southwestern to Advance One Medicine Concept

Ashish Ranjan, PhD, an advocate for the One Medicine approach, emphasizes the similarities between diseases in humans and animals, particularly in fields like cancer and obesity. This initiative builds on Ranjan's prior research at Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where he explored human health via veterinary clinical trials. His work led to the establishment of the OSU Institute for Translational and Emerging Research in Advanced Comparative Therapy (INTERACT), supported in part by the National Institutes of Health and the Focused Ultrasound Foundation.

Ranjan's collaboration with Robert Timmerman, MD, Chair of Radiation Oncology at UTSW, inspired the creation of VROC, where both human and veterinary diseases will be studied together. The clinic will feature innovative clinical trials in oncology and radiation therapy, operating with specialized equipment, including focused ultrasound devices developed in partnership with Verasonics and Sonic Concepts.

VROC aims to dismantle barriers between the two medical fields, allowing clinicians to collaborate closely and enhance research efficacy. The clinic will have a fully integrated team including radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and additional support staff.

Scheduled for June 23, 2025, a symposium will bring together professionals from both veterinary and human medicine, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and discussion around the significance of veterinary clinical trials in informing human health.

Ranjan highlights that, as described by Dr. Timmerman, this innovative clinic can expedite the transition of research findings into clinical trials, improving the speed at which new cancer treatments reach patients. This initiative represents a crucial step toward a more integrated approach to healthcare, emphasizing the value of collaboration across disciplines.