AKC Canine Health Foundation Grant #790

Research Objective:

MicroRNA Profiling and MicroRNA-Based Treatment of Canince Cancers

Principal Investigator:

Dr. William Kisseberth
Ohio State University

Abstract:

Cancer is a common disease in dogs of all breeds and is a leading cause of death. Because cancer is fundamentally a genetic disease, both understanding the genetic basis of cancer and treating cancer are relevant to dog owners and breeders alike. Much of the progress in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer in people has been the result of advances in "genomics". Recently, the canine genome has been sequenced, providing the opportunity to apply new genomic approaches to better understand and treat cancer in the dog. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small non-protein coding molecules that have been implicated in humans as having an important role in cancer and a variety of other diseases. In this study, we will identify miRNA in selected common canine cancers (osteosarcoma, transitional cell carcinoma, melanoma) using miRNA microarrays. We will then identity miRNAs that are potential targets for new cancer therapy drug development. MiRNAs that significantly effect cancer cell growth will be investigated further to determine how they exert their effects. The goals of this study are to identify important canine miRNAs that can be used to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment in the dog.