Research
Previously funded studies appear chronologically, with the most recent appearing first.
Combining Therapies to Improve Osteosarcoma Treatment
SUMMARY: Researchers will study whether a combination of oral medication and new tumor vaccine provide survival benefit for dogs diagnosed with osteosarcoma. THE PROBLEM: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common bone cancer in dogs, affecting the long bones of mostly large and giant breeds of dog. The standard treatment for OS is amputation of the […]Continue readingMitochondrial Dysfunction and mtDNA Mutations in Canine Hemangiosarcoma: Novel Biomarkers for Early Diagnosis and Personalized Therapy
SUMMARY: Researchers will study if dysfunction of the mitochondria, the cell’s “powerhouses,” are drivers of tumor aggressiveness. THE PROBLEM: Hemangiosarcoma is a highly aggressive and rapidly progressing cancer of dogs. Hemangiosarcoma is usually diagnosed when the tumor is in an advanced stage. Nearly 90% of all dogs die within the first year of diagnosis, and […]Continue readingA combined sensor approach to examine volatile organic compounds as potential markers of canine hemangiosarcoma
SUMMARY: Researchers will determine the volatile organic compound (VOC) profile of hemangiosarcoma using bio-detection dogs as a step toward a diagnostic test for the disease. THE PROBLEM: Canine hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a deadly cancer in dogs that is often diagnosed too late for effective treatment, making early detection crucial. Despite years of research, early detection […]Continue readingEngineering a monoclonal antibody therapy for canine mast cell tumors
Mast cell tumors (MCT) are the most common skin tumors in dogs. MCTs can vary in their growth from slow-growing to highly aggressive tumors, and treatment options are often limited, especially for tumors that have spread or can’t be removed. Chemotherapy is sometimes used, but has side effects. Despite treatment, most dogs eventually succumb to […]Continue readingBuilding a Portuguese Water Dog Reference Genome to Unlock Breed-Specific Health Insights
The Portuguese Water Dog Foundation is very excited to join with Drs. Jaime Modiano VMD, PhD and Steven Friedenberg DVM, PhD, DACVECC in a project to improve the lives and well-being of PWDs. The team of Drs. Modiano and Friedenberg will lead a project creating a reference genome specific to PWDs, which will improve our […]Continue readingStudying Hemangiosarcoma Subtypes and Treatment Response
SUMMARY: Researchers are studying if hemangiosarcoma subtypes influence how affected dogs respond to treatment – a step toward precision medicine for these patients. DESCRIPTION: Research suggests that hemangiosarcoma, a deadly cancer in dogs, is not one disease but made up of many different subtypes. The team found that dogs with one type of HSA are […]Continue readingAdvancing Canine Health: Liquid Biopsy for Early Relapse Detection and Improved Treatment of Mast Cell Tumors
Mast cell tumor (MCT) is the most common malignant canine skin tumor, accounting for 16-21% of all skin tumors. All breeds can develop MCTs, but many purebreds (e.g., Boxers, Boston Terriers) are predisposed. Clinical management is challenging due to unpredictable biological behavior and inaccurate biomarkers. While surgery is the primary treatment, many dogs develop resistance […]Continue readingIdentification of Bartonella henselae Immunodominant Epitopes for Diagnosis and Prevention of Canine Bartonelloses
Bartonella species are associated with severe diseases in dogs, including endocarditis, myocarditis, hepatitis, lymphadenitis, hemangiosarcoma, vasculitis, arthritis, uveitis, meningitis, and others. Despite diagnostic advances, current tests lack sensitivity. Bartonella infections pose a serious threat to dogs and public health due to potential transmission to humans. This study will identify Bartonella henselae B-cell and T-cell epitopes […]Continue readingTowards Curative Outcomes in Canine Hemangiosarcoma
This nationwide clinical trial aims to achieve curative outcomes for 400 dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma—a highly aggressive cancer that disproportionately affects older, large breed dogs. Despite aggressive treatment, more than 50% of affected dogs die within 6 months due to metastatic spread. The research will leverage genomic insights to: (1) identify molecular biomarkers for prognosis; […]Continue readingArtificial Intelligence-based Image Analysis of Lymph Node Mast Cell Burden in Canine Cutaneous Mast Cell
Canine mast cell disease is one of the most common cancers in dogs. These tumors can be aggressive, with local recurrence, metastasis, and disease progression resulting in death. Lymph nodes are a major site of metastasis for canine mast cell tumors, and lymph nodes are routinely removed and evaluated for metastasis as part of the […]Continue reading