Project Categories: Hemangiosarcoma

Hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a common, devastating disease of dogs. The malignant tumor is seen frequently in older Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, Portuguese Water Dogs, Labrador Retrievers, and Schnauzers, but it can occur in any dog of any breed at any age. Survival times of dogs with the tumor are short, even with surgical removal and standard of care treatment. Inflammation within the tumor tissue is common in canine HSA, and the immune response may contribute to tumor heterogeneity and prognosis for the dog. Yet, the immunological features in the context of the HSA niche are virtually unknown. The investigators have found that HSA cells have a strong capacity to promote proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, with increased inflammatory cytokines, suggesting a niche regulatory function of HSA cells.

This study will focus on understanding the functional relationships between HSA cells and immune cells that contribute to the tumor niche to identify molecular mechanisms that regulate critical signaling pathways in canine HSA. This approach will improve our understanding of the tumor immunity and heterogeneity, as well as aid in patient selection for novel immunotherapies.

Co-sponsored with the AKC Canine Health Foundation, Grant Number: 2759

RESEARCHERS

Jong Hyuk Kim, DVM, PhD; University of Minnesota
Amount: $5,000

Canine hemangiosarcoma is a largely incurable cancer in dogs, and treatment approaches to improve outcomes have remained relatively stagnant over the past few decades. Treatment remains a challenge partly because the cancer is frequently detected at an advanced stage and because these tumors are often resistant to chemotherapies. Recently published reports showed that propranolol, a drug used to treat heart disease in humans and dogs, substantially increased the survival time of human angiosarcoma patients when used in combination with standard of care treatments. Propranolol was also shown to sensitize hemangiosarcoma cells to doxorubicin, providing a more effective way to kill tumor cells. Because angiosarcoma is strikingly similar to canine hemangiosarcoma, this multi-institutional clinical trial has been designed to determine the efficacy of propranolol in dogs with hemangiosarcoma when used in combination with surgery and chemotherapy.

The main goal of the study is to establish whether propranolol in combination with doxorubicin following surgery improves outcomes for dogs when compared to the use of chemotherapy and surgery alone. The investigators will also evaluate the plasma concentrations of propranolol achieved during dosing to assess whether the levels of propranolol correlate to survival times. If successful, the findings from this approach will be rapidly conveyed to the veterinary community, and the guidelines provided to clinicians for the use of propranolol and doxorubicin for the treatment of canine hemangiosarcoma.

Co-investigators: David R. Brown, PhD, University of Minnesota; Michael O. Childress, DVM, MS, Purdue University; Jennifer Mahoney, DVM and Pascale Salah, DVM, University of Pennsylvania

Co-sponsored with the AKC Canine Health Foundation, Grant Number: 02534

RESEARCHERS

Erin Dickerson, PhD and Brian Husbands, DVM; University of Minnesota
Amount: $10,000

Splenic masses comprise ~50% of all canine splenic disease. Despite advances in imaging and pathologic definition, the etiology and medical relevance of splenic lesions in dogs are often ambiguous. While some splenic tumors are benign, approximately two-thirds are highly malignant and carry a poor prognosis. Hemangiosarcoma (HSA) accounts for the majority of canine malignant splenic tumors and occurs in many large dog breeds, including mixed breeds.A less common site of HSA localization is the heart (cardiac HSA). Risk factors for both cardiac and splenic HSA remain unclear, confounding development of preventative strategies.

The investigators recently reported a high prevalence of species of the bacterial genus Bartonella in dogs with HSA from North Carolina, suggesting a potential role in the initiation and/or progression of this cancer. Bartonella species exist worldwide and are transmitted by blood-sucking arthropods (e.g. ticks, fleas) and their presence in splenic tissue could potentially be explained by the fact that the spleen is primarily responsible for removal of blood-borne parasites from the systemic circulation.

The investigators will perform a comprehensive examination of the potential association between Bartonella infection and HSA by comparing the prevalence of Bartonella DNA in tumor and blood samples from both splenic and cardiac HSA cases, and also within and between distant geographical locations in the US. Ultimately, demonstration of a robust association between Bartonella infection and the development of HSA may lead to new opportunities for improved diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this devastating cancer.

Co-sponsored with the AKC Canine Health Foundation, Grant Number: 02519

RESEARCHERS

Edward Breitschwerdt, DVM
North Carolina State University Office of Sponsored Programs
Amount: $10,000 in 2018, $10,000 in 2019

Hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive form of cancer in dogs, is the cause of death for one out of every five Golden Retrievers in the United States. Portuguese Water Dogs and Boxers also have an especially high risk for this disease which is devastating for all dogs. Hemangiosarcoma is incurable partly because the cancer is detected at a very advanced stage when it is resistant to conventional therapies. Thus, an unconventional approach to improve outcomes for hemangiosarcoma patients will involve effective methods for early detection and for disease prevention.

This project will pair two novel technologies consisting of a patented test to detect hemangiosarcoma cells in blood samples, and a treatment that attacks the cells that establish and maintain the disease. Three milestones will be met: first, will be to expand understanding of the performance and utility of the blood test for cancer in dogs with active disease; second will be to confirm the utility of the test to predict disease progression in treated dogs; and third, will be to establish the performance of the test in the “early detection” setting (dogs at high risk without evidence of active cancer), and thus measure hemangiosarcoma prevention through eradication of the tumor initiating cells with the targeted, investigational drug.

This project will create tools to guide further development, licensing and deployment of these paired technologies against cancer, specifically hemangiosarcoma, with an ultimate goal for disease prevention in all dogs.

Co-sponsored through the collaborative efforts and generosity of the Golden Retriever Foundation and American Boxer Charitable Foundation. The AKC Canine Health Foundation supports the funding of this effort, and will oversee administration of funds and scientific progress reporting, Grant Number: 02234‐MOU

For details and logistics of this project, to include eligibility criteria and how to enroll, please visit Dr. Modiano’s page for the Shine On project.

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RESEARCHERS

Jaime F. Modiano, VMD, PhD
University of Minnesota
Amount: $432,000
Administrative Amount: $40,000

Lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma are major health problems in Portuguese Water Dogs. This study collaborates with several top universities and researchers who are utilizing cutting edge technology to identify several regions of the genome that contain genetic, heritable, risk factors for lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma in Golden Retrievers. This information can then be applied to other breeds, including Portuguese Water Dogs. Tumor-specific mutations, when identified, can be clinically applied to reduce the incidence of these cancers, identify cancer earlier, and modify treatment plans to the individual patient.

Research Objective

Lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma are major health problems in Golden Retrievers, causing both suffering and premature death. Through ongoing collaboration, Drs. Jaime Modiano, Matthew Breen, and Kerstin Lindblad-Toh have identified several regions of the genome that contain genetic heritable risk factors for lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma in Golden Retrievers. They have tumor-specific mutations that occur recurrently in both cancers, some of which are linked to duration of remission when treated with standard of care. Their results indicate that a few heritable genetic risk factors account for as much as 50% of the risk for these cancers.

These findings offer the potential to develop tests and strategies for DNA tests that can predict risk for individual dogs, as well as to manage risk across the population as a whole. Indeed, both the inherited risk factors and tumor mutations point to pathways that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma, and thus should inform the development of targeted therapies. In the current study, Drs. Modiano, Breen, and Lindblad-Toh will find the precise mutations for the heritable genetic risk factors and to validate markers (mutations) used to determine risk at the heritable loci in a larger independent population of Golden Retrievers from the United States and from Europe in order to develop robust risk prediction tools and an accompanying DNA test. Further, they will identify and characterize tumor mutations and study their relationship to the heritable risk factors, tumor pathogenetic mechanisms, and disease outcome.

Co-sponsored with the AKC Canine Health Foundation, Grant Number: 1889-G

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RESEARCHERS

Dr. Jaime F Modiano, VMD PhD
University of Minnesota

Matthew Breen, PhD, CBiol, FSB
North Carolina State University

Hemangiosarcoma is a rapidly fatal disease. The lifetime risk is alarmingly high for some breeds like Golden Retrievers (~20% will die of this disease) and Portuguese Water Dogs (~15% will die of this disease). The risk of hemangiosarcoma is not limited to just these breeds but is considered a research priority for 40 different breed Parent Clubs and Foundations.

Despite considerable efforts to find effective treatments, the outcome for dogs with hemangiosarcoma has changed very little over the past 30 years. Recent evidence suggests hemangiosarcoma conforms to the “cancer stem cell” model, where a defined subset of cells is responsible for initiating and maintaining the tumor. These cells are resistant to conventional therapies and are very adaptable, being able to survive in a variety of tissues in the body.

For this project, Dr. Modiano proposes to reduce the malignant potential of hemangiosarcoma stem cells by forcing them to terminally differentiate into cells which can no longer self-renew. He further proposes that by disrupting their ability to self-renew he will enhance the sensitivity of these cells to conventional and targeted therapies and improve the outcomes of dogs with this disease.

Co-sponsored with the AKC Canine Health Foundation, Grant Number: 01759

RESEARCHERS

Jaime F. Modiano, VMD, PhD
University of Minnesota