A Novel Approach for Prevention of Canine Hemangiosarcoma

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