Research
Previously funded studies appear chronologically, with the most recent appearing first.
Clinical 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 readingTargeting the Cancer Epigenome: The Effect of Specific Histone Lysine Methyltransferase Inhibition in Canine B-Cell Lymphoma
Canine lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in dogs. While some breeds appear more at risk than others, all can be affected. Although it is often treatable, canine lymphoma can rarely be cured. A continued understanding of the mechanisms causing lymphoma in dogs and identification of novel therapies are needed to improve survival […]Continue readingPrecision Medicine for Canine Lymphoma
The clinical response of dogs with lymphoma to multi-agent chemotherapy is highly variable. Although up to 85% of dogs respond initially, some relapse within weeks, while others enjoy remission times of two years. This heterogeneity in clinical response is in part explained by the recognition that “lymphoma” is not a single disease entity, but consists […]Continue readingTumor-permissive Collagen Signatures in Canine Mammary Gland Tumors: Development of Prognostic Markers and Targeted Therapies for Improved Outcomes
Mammary gland tumors (MGT) are the most common malignancies in intact female dogs, and the resulting premature death and morbidity in this sub-population of dogs represents a significant health problem. While genetic alterations within tumor cells can promote their uncontrolled growth and ability to spread to distant sites, recent work indicates that normal, non-malignant cells […]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 readingInvestigating Cancers and Exposure to Environmental Chemicals
Scientific Title: Detoxification of Environmental Carcinogens by Glutathione-Stransferases in Dogs Summary: Researchers will find out how the dog’s body breaks down common environmental chemicals that have been linked to cancers in humans. Description: When dogs or humans are exposed to toxic chemicals in the environment, they use glutathione-S-transferase (GST) enzymes to break down and neutralize […]Continue readingHarnessing a Dog’s Own Immune System to Kill Lymphoma Tumor Cells
Lymphoma is the most common malignancy of dogs representing up to 25% of diagnosed cancers. Dogs often develop an aggressive form of lymphoma that is rarely curable, with most unfortunately succumbing to disease within 12 months of diagnosis despite best available chemotherapies. Dr. Wilson will develop a new treatment to re-train the dog’s own immune […]Continue readingTranscriptome Based Diagnostics in Canine Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Sarcomas are malignant cancers that can arise in any part of the body; however, in the dog, a subset referred to as soft tissue sarcomas account for 10-15% of all skin and subcutaneous cancers. Traditionally biopsy and subsequent histology have been the primary means of diagnosing these cancers. The histology is assigned to one of […]Continue readingIdentification of genetic mutations in anal sac carcinoma in English Cocker Spaniels
English Cocker Spaniels (ECSs) are about 7 times more likely than other dog breeds to develop anal sac carcinoma (ASC). Hence, there appears to be a genetic basis for this disease development in ECSs. The investigators will sequence the genomes and transcriptomes of blood and ASC tumor samples collected from ECS dogs across the US. […]Continue readingGenetic and Environmental Risk for Lymphoma in Boxer Dogs
Lymphoma is a fatal cancer of the blood cells that can occur in any dog. Lymphoma is more common in Boxers, Golden Retrievers, and several other purebreds, which suggests involvement of inherited genes. Recent research has focused on gene mutations in the tumors of dogs with lymphoma. However, we do not understand why these mutations […]Continue reading