Research

Previously funded studies appear chronologically, with the most recent appearing first.

  • Disease Risks Associated with Spay and Neuter: A Breed-Specific, Gender Specific

    2017
    This study extends the investigator’s recently completed AKC Canine Health Foundation-funded project studying 12 dog breeds to identify major differences in the degree to which spay or neuter may be related to an increase in joint disorders (hip dysplasia; cranial cruciate ligament tear) and/or cancers (lymphoma; hemangiosarcoma; and mast cell tumor). The original breeds studied […]
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  • A Novel Approach for Prevention of Canine Hemangiosarcoma

    2016
    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 […]
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  • Health Implications of Early Spay/Neuter on Canine Health

    2015
    Most dogs in the United States are spayed or neutered, and the default recommendation has been to perform these elective surgeries prior to physical maturity. However, recent data suggest that early spay and neuter may adversely impact the health and well-being of dogs. In preliminary studies funded by CHF, Dr. Ben Hart of the UC […]
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  • Innovations in Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Cancer

    2015
    Lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma are major health problems in Portuguese Water Dogs. This study collaborates with several top universities and researchers who are utilizing cutting edge technology to identify several regions of the genome that contain genetic, heritable, risk factors for lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma in Golden Retrievers. This information can then be applied to other breeds, […]
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  • Testing Strategies to Treat Drug-Resistant Hemangiosarcomas

    2014
    Lysosomal Drug Sequestration by CSF-1R (High) Tumor Cells Contributes to Drug Resistance in Canine Hemangiosarcoma Summary: Investigators are assessing the potential for a specific tumor-cell population in canine hemangiosarcoma to sequester drugs within their lysosomes as a novel mechanism of drug resistance. Description: Canine hemangiosarcoma is a common and highly metastatic cancer that affects all […]
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  • Disrupting the Differentiation of Cancer Stem Cells to Prevent the Spread of Hemangiosarcoma

    2013
    Hemangiosarcoma is a rapidly fatal disease. The lifetime risk is alarmingly high for some breeds like Golden Retrievers (~20% will die of this disease) and Portuguese Water Dogs (~15% will die of this disease). The risk of hemangiosarcoma is not limited to just these breeds but is considered a research priority for 40 different breed […]
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  • Assessing How a Protein Helps Hemangiosarcoma Cells Survive

    2013
    Canine hemangiosarcoma is a common and highly fatal cancer in dogs. Recent evidence suggests that populations of cancer stem cells give rise to tumors, promote tumor growth and are the main culprits behind drug resistance and disease recurrence. This study examines how a protein expressed by stem cells contributes to the maintenance and survival of […]
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  • Searching for Ways to Control Hemangiosarcoma Cancer Cells in Dogs

    2013
    Hemangiosarcoma is a highly metastatic and incurable cancer that can affect dogs at any age. It is particularly prevalent in certain breeds such as Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds and Portuguese Water Dogs. Unfortunately, hemangiosarcoma is a disease that is poorly understood and for which there are currently no good treatment options. One of the main […]
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  • Genetic Background and the Angiogenic Phenotype in Cancer

    2012
    This project will continue the researchers’ observations on gene appearance profiles in hemangiosarcoma from Golden Retrievers to German Shepherd Dogs and Portuguese Water Dogs, and it also will define how new targeted therapies may effectively control the disease in these and other dog breeds. Results Certain dog breeds are prone to develop certain types of […]
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  • Mechanistic Relationship of IL-8 in Cell Proliferation and Survival of Canine Hemangiosarcoma

    2011
    Characterize the direct effects of IL-8 on HSA cells. Results The hypothesis tested in this project was that interleukin-8 (IL-8) promotes growth and survival of hemangiosarcoma cells. This hypothesis was based on our previous results showing significant enrichment of IL-8 gene expression in hemangiosarcoma cells compared to normal endothelial cells isolated from non-malignant hematomas. Here, […]
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