Discovery of public tumorspecific neoantigens (pTSNAs) and pTSNAreactive T cells arisen from hotspot mutations in canine hemangiosarcoma
Researchers will build on their discovery of “hotspot” mutations (tumor mutations shared between patients with the same cancer) to see if they can identify public tumor-specific neoantigens (pTSNAs) that are thought to play a role in immune response to cancer. Researchers hope findings will be a step toward a new immunotherapy that can be used in many different dogs suffering from hemangiosarcoma.
A no cost extension has been approved by MAF (April 2026) as a result of the following request of the researcher:
We request a one-year No-Cost Extension (NCE), extending the project end date to March 31, 2027, to investigate longitudinal T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire dynamics using yearly blood samples from healthy dogs and dogs that developed hemangiosarcoma, collected through the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study (GRLS). This work will be performed using our newly developed, highly innovative, dog[1]specific, rhPCR-based TCR-seq protocol (Aim 2). The study will provide novel insights into the role of TCR repertoire aging in hemangiosarcoma development and may identify potential biomarkers for disease detection and treatment response through liquid biopsy.
Our sample request has been approved by the GRLS committee, and we are currently in the process of selecting and receiving the samples. We will begin rhPCR TCR-seq analysis immediately upon sample arrival.
During the NCE period, we will also complete three manuscript submissions to peer-reviewed journals reporting our findings: 1) MHC-II genotyping results (Aim 1), 2) neoantigen discovery results (Aims 1 and 2), and 3) canine TCR repertoire characterization (Aim 2).
Co-sponsored with the Morris Animal Foundation, Grant Number: D24CA-536
RESEARCHERS
Shaying Zhao, PhD, University of Georgia
Amount: $10,000