Research Update MAF D24CA-535-April 2026: Studying Hemangiosarcoma Subtypes and Treatment Response

Posted on by Crystal Smith in Research Update

SUMMARY: Researchers are studying if hemangiosarcoma (HSA) subtypes influence how affected dogs respond to treatment – a step toward precision medicine for these patients.

THE PROBLEM: Hemangiosarcoma is a serious and usually fatal cancer of dogs. Most dogs die of the disease by within 4-6 months post-diagnosis, even with aggressive treatment. However, some  research suggests that hemangiosarcoma is not one disease but comprised of different subtypes, and  these subtypes might be related to longevity and response to therapy.

THE PROJECT: This research team has previously found that dogs with one type of HSA are more likely to live longer than dogs that have a different type of HSA. This may explain why current treatments  fail to help most dogs with HSA live longer despite aggressive care. To take a closer look at this  finding, researchers will identify the HSA type or signature in tumors from dogs that have lived longer  than other dog patients with HSA. The team is using data from a study in progress to inform their  evaluation of archived tissues to assess prevalence and survival.

PROJECT UPDATE: The team encountered an obstacle when the library generation for the RNA-sequencing portion of the project did not work – the team is in the process of redoing the RNA-extraction and sequencing.
Continue reading “Research Update MAF D24CA-535-April 2026: Studying Hemangiosarcoma Subtypes and Treatment Response” →

Research Update 02946-EY4: Towards Curative Outcomes in Canine Hemangiosarcoma

Posted on by Crystal Smith in Research Update

Original Project Description:

Canine hemangiosarcoma is the most aggressive cancer seen in all dogs, but disproportionately affects older, large breed dogs. Despite aggressive treatment with surgery and chemotherapy, more than 50% of dogs die due to metastatic spread of their cancer within 6 months and no significant advancements in the treatment of hemangiosarcoma have occurred in over 30 years. Several challenges have hindered improvements in outcomes including limitations in the capabilities of current imaging and/or blood-based markers to detect early  relapse/metastasis, gaps in current understanding of the molecular biology of hemangiosarcoma, and a lack of effective therapies that effectively alter the aggressive metastatic behavior of this cancer. Continue reading “Research Update 02946-EY4: Towards Curative Outcomes in Canine Hemangiosarcoma” →

Research Update CHF 03194 MY2: A Blueprint to Develop Next-Generation CAR T Therapy for Canine Lymphoma

Posted on by Crystal Smith in Research Update

Original Project Description:
High-grade B cell lymphoma is a cancer frequently diagnosed in older dogs, with Golden Retrievers and Bernese Mountain Dogs being particularly predisposed. Standard veterinary care involves chemotherapy and while patients initially respond well, the disease proves to be fatal for most dogs diagnosed. In human medicine, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, in which the patient’s T lymphocytes are engineered to target and kill their cancer, has been remarkably successful for treating B cell lymphoma. However, a significant number of patients become resistant to this therapy due to loss of target antigen on their cancer cells. To overcome this, next-generation tandem CAR T cells were designed to kill cancer cells by recognizing two separate targets, thereby reducing the ability of cancer cells to escape treatment, and greatly improving the outlook for human patients.

Continue reading “Research Update CHF 03194 MY2: A Blueprint to Develop Next-Generation CAR T Therapy for Canine Lymphoma” →

Research Update 03334-EY1: Antiparasitic Treatment of Trypanosoma cruzi-infected Dogs Across Different Stages of Disease for Clinical Cardiac Improvements – the 100-dog Study

Posted on by Crystal Smith in Research Update

Original Project Description:
Chagas disease is a deadly parasitic heart disease of dogs, humans, and other mammals. Chagas disease is a risk where ‘kissing bug’ insect vectors are located, including South America, Central America, Mexico, and the southern United States. The risk of Chagas disease in dogs also extends to regions where dogs from the south may travel or be re-located, so dogs across the US may be at risk. However, tools to prevent and manage canine Chagas cases are lacking as there is no vaccine and no widely-validated antiparasitic treatments. The investigators have spent the past 8 years characterizing how natural infections impact the health of dogs, and how disease progresses in the absence of treatment. Given this baseline information, the team will develop and refine a canine Chagas disease scoring system to categorize the severity of the disease (measured by a panel of sensitive diagnostic tests and clinical assessments). This scoring system is a critical prerequisite for deploying new treatments.

Continue reading “Research Update 03334-EY1: Antiparasitic Treatment of Trypanosoma cruzi-infected Dogs Across Different Stages of Disease for Clinical Cardiac Improvements – the 100-dog Study” →

Research Update 03337-EY1: Identification of Bartonella henselae Immunodominant Epitopes for Diagnosis and Prevention of Canine Bartonelloses

Posted on by Crystal Smith in Research Update

Original Project Description:
Bartonella species, a genus of gram-negative bacteria with zoonotic potential, are associated with a wide spectrum of life-threatening diseases in dogs. More than 10 Bartonella species have been implicated in association with serious diseases in dogs, including endocarditis, myocarditis, peliosis hepatis, granulomatous hepatitis, lymphadenitis, hemangiosarcoma, vasculitis, panniculitis, polyarthritis, uveitis, meningitis, and others. Despite recent advances in diagnostic technology for canine bartonelloses, currently available molecular (qPCR, dPCR), culture, and serological based assays lack sensitivity for a diagnosis of Bartonella infection in dogs. Bartonella spp. infections in dogs throughout the United States pose a serious threat to dogs, and public health, because of an increased
risk of transmission from dogs to humans via direct contact with infected fluids, via arthropod vectors, and potentially, through bites. There is an increasingly urgent need for the development of a reliable serodiagnostic assay, as well as for effective strategies to prevent canine bartonelloses.

Continue reading “Research Update 03337-EY1: Identification of Bartonella henselae Immunodominant Epitopes for Diagnosis and Prevention of Canine Bartonelloses” →

Research Update MAF D24CA-536: Search for Immune Stimulating Mutations in Canine Hemangiosarcoma

Posted on by Janet Boyd in Research Update

SUMMARY: Researchers will look for mutations in hemangiosarcoma cases as a step toward developing new therapies.

THE PROBLEM: Hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a highly malignant disease and is common in breeds including Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd, Boxer, and others. When detected, HSA is often advanced and spreads to other locations. Effective treatment of HSA is currently lacking, and affected dogs have a grave outcome. Thus, research that leads to effective intervention of this terrible disease is urgently needed. Continue reading “Research Update MAF D24CA-536: Search for Immune Stimulating Mutations in Canine Hemangiosarcoma” →

Research Update MAF D22CA-015 FINAL: Blocking Heartworm Transmission

Posted on by Janet Boyd in Research Update

SUMMARY: Morris Animal Foundation-funded researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are investigating how infection by certain bacteria decreases the ability of mosquitoes to transmit infectious larvae of Dirofilaria immitis, the agent of heartworm disease.

THE PROBLEM: Mosquitoes are required for heartworm transmission between dogs. Every year, more than 150,000 cases of canine heartworm disease are reported in the United States alone. Monthly preventive treatments for dogs have been widely available since the mid-1980s. However, drug-resistant strains are on the rise, highlighting the need for novel disease control strategies. The team hopes findings will provide a new approach to block the spread of the heartworm disease by targeting parasites in their mosquito host.

Continue reading “Research Update MAF D22CA-015 FINAL: Blocking Heartworm Transmission” →

Research Update 02946-MY4: Towards Curative Outcomes in Canine Hemangiosarcoma

Posted on by Janet Boyd in Research Update

Original Project Description:

Canine hemangiosarcoma is the most aggressive cancer seen in all dogs, but disproportionately affects older, large breed dogs. Despite aggressive treatment with surgery and chemotherapy, more than 50% of dogs die due to metastatic spread of their cancer within 6 months and no significant advancements in the treatment of hemangiosarcoma have occurred in over 30 years. Several challenges have hindered improvements in outcomes including limitations in the capabilities of current imaging and/or blood-based markers to detect early  relapse/metastasis, gaps in current understanding of the molecular biology of hemangiosarcoma, and a lack of effective therapies that effectively alter the aggressive metastatic behavior of this cancer. Continue reading “Research Update 02946-MY4: Towards Curative Outcomes in Canine Hemangiosarcoma” →

Research Update 03334-MY1: Antiparasitic Treatment of Trypanosoma cruzi-infected Dogs Across Different Stages of Disease for Clinical Cardiac Improvements – the 100-dog Study

Posted on by Janet Boyd in Research Update

Original Project Description:
Chagas disease is a deadly parasitic heart disease of dogs, humans, and other mammals. Chagas disease is a risk where ‘kissing bug’ insect vectors are located, including South America, Central America, Mexico, and the southern United States. The risk of Chagas disease in dogs also extends to regions where dogs from the south may travel or be re-located, so dogs across the US may be at risk. However, tools to prevent and manage canine Chagas cases are lacking as there is no vaccine and no widely-validated antiparasitic treatments. The investigators have spent the past 8 years characterizing how natural infections impact the health of dogs, and how disease progresses in the absence of treatment. Given this baseline information, the team will develop and refine a canine Chagas disease scoring system to categorize the severity of the disease (measured by a panel of sensitive diagnostic tests and clinical assessments). This scoring system is a critical prerequisite for deploying new treatments. Continue reading “Research Update 03334-MY1: Antiparasitic Treatment of Trypanosoma cruzi-infected Dogs Across Different Stages of Disease for Clinical Cardiac Improvements – the 100-dog Study” →

Research Update 03337-MY1: Identification of Bartonella henselae Immunodominant Epitopes for Diagnosis and Prevention of Canine Bartonelloses

Posted on by Janet Boyd in Research Update

Original Project Description:
Bartonella species, a genus of gram-negative bacteria with zoonotic potential, are associated with a wide spectrum of life-threatening diseases in dogs. More than 10 Bartonella species have been implicated in association with serious diseases in dogs, including endocarditis, myocarditis, peliosis hepatis, granulomatous hepatitis, lymphadenitis, hemangiosarcoma, vasculitis, panniculitis, polyarthritis, uveitis, meningitis, and others. Despite recent advances in diagnostic technology for canine bartonelloses, currently available molecular (qPCR, dPCR), culture, and serological based assays lack sensitivity for a diagnosis of Bartonella infection in dogs. Bartonella spp. infections in dogs throughout the United States pose a serious threat to dogs, and public health, because of an increased risk of transmission from dogs to humans via direct contact with infected fluids, via arthropod vectors, and potentially, through bites. There is an increasingly urgent need for the development of a reliable serodiagnostic assay, as well as for effective strategies to prevent canine bartonelloses. Continue reading “Research Update 03337-MY1: Identification of Bartonella henselae Immunodominant Epitopes for Diagnosis and Prevention of Canine Bartonelloses” →