Research
Previously funded studies appear chronologically, with the most recent appearing first.
Mitochondrial 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 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 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 readingDiscovery 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 […]Continue readingReprogramming the Tumor Immune Niche in Canine 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 […]Continue readingStrategic Prevention of Canine Hemangiosarcoma: Lifetime Follow-Up (Shine-On)
The Shine On project is designed to utilize complementary technologies to reduce the impact of hemangiosarcoma in companion dogs. This novel, potentially disruptive approach is the first of its kind where artificial intelligence applied to the results of a blood test will be used to assign dogs to a risk category for the development of […]Continue readingClinical Trial for Evaluation of Propranolol and Doxorubicin in the Treatment of Canine Hemangiosarcoma
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 […]Continue readingPrevalence of Bartonella spp. Infection in Dogs with Cardiac and Splenic Hemangiosarcomas within and between Geographic Locations
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 […]Continue reading