~ Betty White ~

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Golden Retriever Familial Subaortic Stenosis Study Dr. Joshua Stern and the Cardiac Genetics Laboratory of Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine are conducting a research study to identify the genetic mutation responsible for Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis (SAS) in Golden Retrievers. Advancements in technology have enabled us to become increasingly successful in identifying mutations responsible for breed specific heart disease and to develop DNA tests to help breeders reduce the incidence of disease. This study requires DNA samples from 30 Golden Retrievers with a diagnosis of Subvalvular aortic stenosis (diagnosed by Doppler echocardiogram) and an additional 30 Goldens without Subvalvular aortic stenosis (as cleared by a cardiologist). Participants can be assured that their privacy will be protected and confidentiality maintained.. Your participation is greatly appreciated and questions are welcome!. Please complete the form on page 2 and return along with the sample and required cardiologist report and pedigree to: VCGL – WSU Post Office Box 605 Pullman, WA 99163-0605 Sample collection 1. Please draw 2-3 ml of blood into an EDTA tube (lilac top). Most veterinary hospitals have these readily available, and many veterinarians are willing to waive their professional fee when obtaining samples for research purposes. 2. Please label tube well with dog’s call name and family last name. 3. Although this is not required for participation in the current study, ideally we would like to also bank DNA from Goldens affected with SAS in the CHIC DNA Repository for use in future research studies. If you are willing to do this, please download and complete both the Application form and the Health Survey from http://www.caninehealthinfo.org/dnabank.html and include both forms with sample. There is no fee for doing this. The blood does not need to be mailed with ice packs or be shipped overnight. However, please try to send the sample within a few days by standard mail. Until the blood can be mailed, please keep it refrigerated (i.e., if the blood was drawn late Saturday and cannot be mailed until Monday, please refrigerate between Saturday and Monday). Questions? Email: jsterndvm@gmail.com Phone: 614.390.1516 Right click on the link, and select 'Save As' to download the PDF document. Golden Retriever Familial Subaortic Stenosis Study Thank you very much for submitting a sample, we greatly appreciate it!

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FDA NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release: June 3, 2009 FDA: First Drug to Treat Cancer in Dogs Approved The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced the approval of Palladia (toceranib phosphate), the first drug developed specifically for the treatment of cancer in dogs. Palladia is approved to treat canine cutaneous (skin-based) mast cell tumors, a type of cancer responsible for about 1 out of 5 cases of canine skin tumors. The drug is approved to treat the tumors with or without regional lymph node involvement. All cancer drugs now used in veterinary medicine originally were developed for use in humans and are not approved for use in animals. Cancer treatments used in animals are used in an “extra-label” manner as allowed by the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994. "This cancer drug approval for dogs is an important step forward for veterinary medicine," said Bernadette Dunham, D.V.M., Ph.D., director of FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. "Prior to this approval, veterinarians had to rely on human oncology drugs, without knowledge of how safe or effective they would be for dogs. Today's approval offers dog owners, in consultation with their veterinarian, an option for treatment of their dog's cancer." While canine mast cell tumors often appear small and insignificant, they can be a very serious form of cancer in dogs. Some mast cell tumors are easily removed without the development of any further problems, while others can lead to life threatening disease. Palladia is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor and works in two ways: by killing tumor cells and by cutting off the blood supply to the tumor. In a clinical trial, Palladia showed a statistically significant difference in tumor shrinkage when compared with an inactive substance (placebo). The most common side effects associated with Palladia are diarrhea, decrease or loss of appetite, lameness, weight loss, and blood in the stool. Palladia is manufactured by Pfizer Animal Health Inc., New York City. For more information: Palladia approval summary

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U OF M COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE INTRODUCES COLLABORATIVE CANCER PROGRAM MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (February 27, 2009) – The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, in conjunction with the University’s Masonic Cancer Center, is has established a new Animal Cancer Care and Research (ACCR) program. This collaboration is unique in the United States because it incorporates the ACCR program into the Masonic Cancer Center, one of only 41 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the United States. “We believe it will become the premier model for animal cancer care and research,” says Dr. Trevor Ames, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. Within five years Ames says he expects the University of Minnesota to be recognized as the best institution in the country for conducting research in comparative oncology and providing care for companion animals with cancer. “ACCR scientists have already made significant discoveries,” says Ames. “One particularly noteworthy finding is that many cancers in the dog are caused by the same genetic abnormalities found in humans.” The mission of the ACCR program is ambitious: To advance knowledge in cancer biology that can be translated and implemented into treatment that will reduce the incidence of cancer and improve the outcome for animal and human cancer patients. “The ACCR program is a key part of our Comparative Medicine Signature Program at the University,” says Dr. Robert Washabau, who chairs the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. “Cancer claims the lives of animals as well as humans, and research into the causes and treatments of cancer is often applicable across species.” The ACCR program draws its expertise primarily from scientists in the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Masonic Cancer Center, but ACCR scientists also work closely with the Medical School, School of Pharmacy, and School of Public Health. “Great synergies can be achieved when veterinarians, physicians, and scientists with complementary expertise join forces to tackle the types of cancer shared by dogs and humans,” says Dr. Jaime Modiano, director of the ACCR program. “ACCR researchers are currently working to define breed- and disease-specific ‘Achilles’ heels’ in dogs. These findings could then be translated into more effective and less toxic cancer treatments. The implications could reach far beyond dogs and veterinary medicine.” Modiano’s laboratory is one of three research labs involved in the program. Modiano holds the Alvin S. and June Perlman Endowed Chair in Animal Oncology and is a member of the Masonic Cancer Center’s Genetic Mechanisms of Cancer and Immunology research programs. ACCR scientists work on research in genetics, cancer prevention, stem cells, metastasis, and cell signaling. Many of these basic research findings are readily translated into cancer care including diagnostics, treatments, and quality of life. “We can learn more about cancer by working together,” says Douglas Yee, M.D., director, Masonic Cancer Center. “This program will advance our understanding of cancer in both animals and people.” For more information on the Animal Cancer Care and Research program please see the attached newsletter, Synergy, or to download a PDF of the ACCR newsletter, Synergy, go to www.cvm.umn.edu/accr.

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Using naturally occurring tumours in dogs and cats to study telomerase and cancer stem cell biology. Pang LY, Argyle DJ. Hospital for Small Animals, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, Scotland, UK. The recently described cancer stem cell theory opens up many new challenges and opportunities to identify targets for therapeutic intervention. However, the majority of cancer related therapeutic studies rely upon rodent models of human cancer that rarely translate into clinical success in human patients. Naturally occurring cancers in dogs, cats and humans share biological features, including molecular targets, telomerase biology and tumour genetics. Studying cancer stem cell biology and telomere/telomerase dynamics in the cancer bearing pet population may offer the opportunity to develop a greater understanding of cancer biology in the natural setting and evaluate the development of novel therapies targeted at these systems. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2009 Apr;1792(4):380-91. Epub 2009 Feb 28.

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Translation of new cancer treatments from pet dogs to humans. Paoloni M, Khanna C. Comparative Oncology Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, 37 Convent Drive, Room 2144, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA. Naturally occurring cancers in pet dogs and humans share many features, including histological appearance, tumour genetics, molecular targets, biological behaviour and response to conventional therapies. Studying dogs with cancer is likely to provide a valuable perspective that is distinct from that generated by the study of human or rodent cancers alone. The value of this opportunity has been increasingly recognized in the field of cancer research for the identification of cancer-associated genes, the study of environmental risk factors, understanding tumour biology and progression, and, perhaps most importantly, the evaluation and development of novel cancer therapeutics. Nat Rev Cancer. 2008 Feb;8(2):147-56

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Oncology of companion animals as a model for humans. an overview of tumor histotypes. Porrello A, Cardelli P, Spugnini EP. Molecular Oncogenesis Laboratory, Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy. The need for more appropriate animal models in cancer research has led, over the past 20 years, to consider pets with spontaneously occurring neoplasms as a valuable and still under used resource. The role of companion animals in the struggle to eradicate cancer can be multiple: they may act as environmental sentinels, help in gaining insights on tumor biology and finally may be enrolled in therapeutic trials which might act as a bridge to the clinic applications. This paper will focus on the most valuable spontaneous neoplasms in companion animals and will analyze the potentials of each histotype as a model for basic research and for new therapeutic strategies. It is conceivable that in the next years comparative oncology will play a paramount role in translational medicine allowing a rapid flow of data from laboratories to clinical application in humans. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2006 Mar;25(1):97-105

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Using the canine genome to cure cancer and other diseases. Olson PN. Morris Animal Foundation, 45 Inverness Drive East, Englewood, CO 80112, USA. polson@morrisanimalfoundation.org A high-quality draft genome sequence of the domestic dog (Canis familiaris), together with a dense map of single nucleotide polymorphisms, has been reported. Such new tools offer scientists amazing opportunities to define genetic, nutritional, environmental, and other risk factors for various canine diseases. Because many of the diseases that affect man's best friend also affect us, understanding a dog's disease may lead to new preventions and therapies for diseases that affect both dogs and people. Since a dog's life span is shorter than that for a human, monitoring potential risk factors in a well-controlled population of dogs is possible. Such a population should be one where dogs live in close relationship with their owners. Although longitudinal studies have been previously conducted on animals housed in laboratory environments, the natural environment offers a chance to study dogs in environments shared by their owners. If dogs are carefully monitored, and select exposures defined, considerable information could be collected in a dog's lifetime--the next 10-20 years. Such information could hold the clues for important discoveries, including causes and cures for cancer. Theriogenology. 2007 Aug;68(3):378-81. Epub 2007 May 10.

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http:armyofwomen.org/ army update Love/Avon Army of Women is a charitable services fund of the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, 1 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.  Your support will enable them to recruit one million women to sign up on to the Love/Avon Army of Women and participate in simple but vital breast cancer research.  The Army of Women will expand breast cancer prevention research in new directions ~ moving us beyond a cure, to understanding what causes breast cancer and how to stop it one and for all. To My Friends & Family, As we near the beginning of a new year, I would like to share my wish for our future, and ask that you join me in helping to make it happen.  It is rare for me to send a mass emailing, but this is a message that I believe should reach as many people as possible, so please forgive my use of blind copies (and you have my permission and request to forward). While many of you know of my impassioned fight against canine cancer, I never forget that cancer is also the second leading cause of death in humans.  Although it has been over thirty years since President Nixon declared "war on cancer," 1 in 4 of us will still die from cancer.  So as important as the advances since that time have been, there is still much more to do.  And that's where you come in -- and no, I am not asking for money. One of the factors that frequently limits scientists' ability to study cancer is difficulty in recruiting people to participate.  To address this need, a wonderful collaboration between the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation and the Avon Foundation has embarked on a project called the Army of Women, with the goal of recruiting one million women to participate in cancer research.  The primary goal of this project is to move beyond searching for cures to focus on prevention.  While this project is aimed specifically at breast cancer, the information learned will undoubtedly move the whole field of cancer prevention forward.  The Army of Women project asks women to sign up by providing some very basic information such as email, phone number, address, and age, but they do not ask for any specific participation commitments.  Once a person is signed up, they will receive periodic emails informing them of studies that are recruiting participants.  These studies may be as simple as questionnaires about dietary and exercise habits, or may include other kinds of medical history and lifestyle considerations.  Some studies may go further and request blood samples or other personal participation.  But there is NEVER any pressure to participate, so please don't be hesitant to sign up -- you will not be asked to do anything you don't want to do.  You will decide what you want to do or don't want to do, and can respond or not as you wish. The Army of Women needs volunteers with all backgrounds -- those who have never had any cancer and those who have; those who have a family history and those who do not; those with no risk factors and those with known risk factors; all ages and all ethnic groups.  In a word, they need everyone.  If we want them to help us, we have to help them.  And although the men in our life cannot sign up, it is very likely that they will benefit from these research projects too because factors involved in cancer prevention can often be generalized.  (And that means that maybe our dogs will benefit too.) So...thank you for letting me share my wish with you, and for considering this request.  If you would like to learn more, or to sign up, please go to http://www.armyofwomen.org/   I would also be happy to talk with anyone personally about this. Best, Rhonda Hovan

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= Be part of this study without  even leaving the house! Dear, Have you been diagnosed with breast cancer? Whether you were recently diagnosed, are in active treatment, or are a long-term survivor, you can participate in this online study from the comfort of your own home!  With increased breast cancer survival rates, it is more important than ever to look at quality of life and how women are coping during diagnosis, treatment, and remission. If you have had breast cancer and want a way to help researchers find the answers to these very important questions, consider taking this online survey! If this study isn't a right fit for you, you know what to do...PASS IT ON! What’s the study about? The purpose of this study is to assess how having had breast cancer affects different aspects of a woman’s life. What’s involved? If you join the study, you will be asked to answer a series of questions in an ONLINE survey. You will access the survey online from your own computer. If you choose the "yes, sign me up" option, you will be taken to a page that asks a few short screening questions. If after you answer the questions you are found to be a match,you will be provided a link to the online survey. You will also be sent an e-mail that contains the link to the on-line survey so that you may access it at a later time. You will only need to take the survey once. In order to ensure receipt of the email, please remember to add info@armyofwomen.org to your contact or safe-sender list. The questions asked in the survey are related to medical history, physical well-being, social well-being, and emotional well-being. The site is secure and your participation is anonymous. The survey is in English and will take approximately 45 minutes to complete. Who can participate? You can join the Online Study on Breast Cancer and Well-Being if you match ALL of these categories: • You are a woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in her life • Your breast cancer has not metastasized (i.e., has not spread beyond your breasts and lymph nodes to any other organ in your body) • Aside from treatment for breast cancer, you have never received chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or radiation therapy to treat A DIFFERENT CANCER Who is conducting the study? Catherine Bielajew, PhD and Isabelle Ares, PhD Candidate, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Where? Anywhere in the world where there is internet access

 

An Important Message From the GRCA Health & Genetics Committee The next issue of the "Golden Retriever News" will present an update provided by the University of Minnesota on research supported in part by the Golden Retriever Foundation through its partnership with the AKC Canine Health Foundation. Many GRCA members donated blood and tumor samples in support of this project, and we hope that knowing their dog contributed to knowledge that will improve the future for both humans and dogs will help these owners to find meaning in their loss. The results of this project were so impressive that it caught the attention of the National Institutes of Health, which has now contributed over one million dollars to a subsequent project that will build upon these findings. Therefore, we renew our call to owners to participate in this research by considering sample donation. While we continue to also recruit samples for other studies and other kinds of cancer (including blood from any affected dog, even after beginning chemotherapy), this particular project requires blood and tumor samples from Goldens with lymphoma. Tumor samples must be collected prior to beginning chemotherapy, and must be prepared for shipment in a special transport media which is overnighted to your veterinarian. Therefore, it is critical that owners contact us without delay when they even suspect their dog may have lymphoma – it is not necessary for the diagnosis to have been confirmed. If you feel enlarged lymph nodes (for example, “lumps” on the throat under the back of the jaw that seemed to appear very rapidly), please contact us even prior to your vet appointment if there is time to do so. Or if your veterinarian has diagnosed lymphoma based on a fine needle aspirate in the office, please contact us immediately without waiting for a pathology report or oncology consultation. Please use any of the following contacts: Tessa Breen (sample coordinator for Dr Matthew Breen) Tessa_Breen@ncsu.edu 919-513-1466 The Modiano Lab lab@modianolab.org 612-626-6890 Rhonda Hovan (GRCA Research Facilitator) rhondahovan@aol.com 330-668-0044 hm or 330-338-4236 cell Thank you again for your past support, and in advance for your future support. As you will read in the GRNews, by working together, we are making a difference! Cross-posting is permitted and encouraged.

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Centre for Companion Animal Health UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Special Report: Understanding Canine Cancer Written by Rhonda Hovan Rhonda Hovan has been a breeder and owner-handler of Golden Retrievers for more than thirty years. As a freelance writer, she has won both the Veterinary Information Network Health Education Award and the Eukanuba Canine Health Award. Rhonda is the Research Facilitator for the Golden Retriever Club of America and founded the Starlight Fund at the AKC Canine Health Foundation to support Golden Retriever health research. She also serves on the Advisory Board of the National Canine Cancer Foundation, and is an emeritus Director of the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Rhonda can be reached at RhondaHovan@aol.com . http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/CCAH/documents/newsletter_2008_fall.pdf

Dog Disease Research at Broad Institute Broad Institute Studies http://www.broad.mit.edu/mammals/dog/donate.html Mast Cell Tumors (MCT) Update MCTs are cancerous proliferations of mast cells. Although they can and will spread throughout the body, the danger from MCTs comes from the secondary damage caused by the release of chemicals the tumors produce. These chemicals can cause systemic problems that include gastric ulcers, internal bleeding, and a range of allergic manifestations. We have compared the genomes of 88 Golden retrievers with MCT and 103 healthy Golden retrievers and are very excited to have identified several regions of the genome that appear to be inherited risk factors for mast cell tumors in Golden retrievers. We are now validating these results in more dogs and looking to identify the exact gene and mutation that will allow the development of genetic tests and better treatments. Hemangiosarcoma (HSA) Update Hemangiosarcomas are rapidly growing and highly invasive, blood-fed tumors. Blood vessels grow from the tumor and often cause death through excessive blood loss due to rupturing of the tumor. After comparing the genomes of ~100 healthy dogs with ~100 dogs with HSA we were able to identify several areas of the genome that were possible associated to inherited HSA risk factors. Currently, five genes found to be associated with the disease are being searched for mutations. Once the mutations have been identified and their presence in different breeds assessed, this will allow for rapid development of genetic tests for carriers of HSA. We are also working with the European LUPA project, a collaboration between 22 institutions in 11 countries, to map more than 20 traits including cancers, inflammatory diseases, cardio-vascular disease, neurological disease and other monogenic traits. For more information please see http://www.eurolupa.org/. More information about some of our projects is available at our website (www.dogdna.org). If you have specific questions, please contact us at dog-info@broad.mit.edu. Thank you again for all of your help. Best regards, The Canine Genetics Group at the Broad Institute

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SMILING BLUE SKIES ® IS FUNDING THE VERY FIRST COMPANION ANIMAL CANCER REGISTRY IN NORTH AMERICA Researchers at OVC are establishing a population-based companion animal cancer registry. The registry project will begin as a pilot project focusing on all cancers within the dog and cat population in the city of Guelph (but will be expanded over time!). Cancer registries are an integral part of human cancer research. However, for companion animals, such registries do not exist in North America. Population-based cancer registries enable epidemiologists to study the occurrence of cancer in the population and to make statements when, where and why the occurrence of cancer is more or less likely in the population. This is a huge step forward and we could not do this without your continued support.

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ROUSE MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIP TO FUN COMPARATIVE CANCER RESEARCH The Ontario Veterinary College, in conjunction with the Institute for Comparative Cancer Investigation at the University of Guelph, is pleased to announce the call for applications for the Arthur Rousse Memorial Senior Fellowship in Veterinary and Comparative Cancer Studies. This endowed fellowship provides $60,000 per year salary support for up to 3 years, to a highly qualified individual interested in pursuing aspects of veterinary and comparative cancer at the postdoctoral level. The 2008 competition is particularly directed towards individuals with research training who wish to gain further experience in comparative cancer research at a veterinary institution. In conjunction with the Institute for Comparative Cancer Investigation, including the Animal Cancer Centre in the Teaching Hospital of the Ontario Veterinary College, the incumbent will partake in research to examine aspects of companion animal cancer such as diagnostic procedures, therapeutic approaches, and cancer pathobiology. Qualified individuals who hold the DVM/DMV/VMD/ and have completed a PhD/DVSc and/or an oncology or related residency (e.g., anatomic or clinical pathology, pharmacology, surgery, internal medicine, oncology, radiation oncology), with a strong interest in veterinary research are encouraged to apply. Interested individuals should provide a detailed statement of research interests and career goals, Curriculum Vitae highlighting the details of clinical training and research accomplishments, and the names and contact information of three referees. Applications should be sent to: Office of the Dean, Ontario Veterinary College Attention Dr. R. Jacobs University of Guelph Guelph ON Canada N1G 2W1 Application Deadline: March 28, 2008, with an expected start date of September 2008

From the GRCA Health & Genetics Committee One of the research studies that GRCA and the Golden Retriever Foundation support is in urgent need of blood samples from any registered Golden Retriever that has (at any time in its life) been definitely diagnosed with a mast cell tumor. The diagnosis must have been confirmed with a pathology report, and the dog must not have had any other malignancy. Confidentiality will be maintained. Owners can contact Dr. Cheryl London at London.20@osu.edu (preferred) or via phone 614-292-9554. Please feel free to contact the GRCA Research Facilitator, Rhonda Hovan, with any questions at London.20@osu.edu or 330-668-0044.

Notice from the GRCA Health & Genetics Committee

The Vector Borne Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine is recruiting cases for a funded research project, which is investigating the potential role of selected flea- and tick-borne bacteria as co-factors in the development of lymphoma in Golden Retrievers. This two-year study is being funded exclusively by the Golden Retriever Foundation and the Canine Health Foundation.

The 1998 Golden Retriever Health Survey showed a statistically significant decrease in lymphoma among Golden Retrievers that had been treated with flea and tick prevention products. This research project will examine one mechanism by which these data might be explained - that infection with Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and/or Anaplasma species bacteria may predispose susceptible dogs to develop lymphoma.

The purpose of this study is to search for evidence of Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and/or Anaplasma infection in Golden Retriever dogs with lymphoma, as compared to age- and sex-matched Golden Retrievers from the same geographic region. Obtaining identical samples from healthy control dogs will be critical to the scientific evaluation of data obtained from Golden Retrievers with lymphoma.

Click here to continue reading this article, and download required documents

URGENT Blood samples are needed from registered  Golden Retrievers diagnosed with a mast cell tumor.

The 4th Genes Dogs and Cancer Conference, was held on September 14th to the 17th, 2006 at the Crowne Plaza Chicago Metro, in Chicago Illinois.

Conference Coordinators
Timothy Fan, Kevin Hahn, Chand Khanna, Jaime F. Modiano, and Elaine Ostrander

Sponsored by Jeffrey Pepper, the French Bulldog Club of America, Morris Animal Foundation,
the National Beagle Club, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, the Soft Coated Wheaten
Terrier Club of America Endowment Fund and the Starlight Fund

This conference brought together researchers, veterinarians and breeders from around the
world to discuss advances in canine cancer research. Join us to hear presentations on the
following four topics:

Host and Microenvironment: Genetics and Host Interactions
Cancer Pathogenesis and Progression: Metastasis, Angiogenesis and Cytogenetics
Discovery and Delivery: Cancer Care, Diagnostics, Imaging, Therapy and Monitoring
Program Updates: Clinical Trials, Consortia, Regulatory Agencies

Keynote speaker Dr. Janet Rowley and Distinguished Speakers Drs. Elaine Ostrander, Tom
Rosol and Chand Khanna presented their research on topics such as the molecular origins of
cancer, inherited cancers, metastasis and comparative oncology translation and biology.

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DOGS ARE KEY TO REVOLUTIONARY CANCER STUDY

CANINE CANCER PATIENTS HELP ADVANCE RESEARCH ON PROMISING VACCINE

JOHN BERMAN
Dec. 3, 2007—

Kyra looks like any other energetic Rhodesian Ridgeback dog, but she's also a cancer survivor -- and a reason for hope.

Two years ago, the 10-year-old canine's owner, Eileen Eisenhower, noticed an eerily familiar lump on Kyra's leg. Eileen is a nurse who treats human cancer patients.

"I said, 'Oh, Kyra, you have lymphoma," Eisenhower recalled lamenting. "I just knew it."

But Eisenhower converted her pain into promise, enrolling Kyra in a revolutionary vaccine study at the University of Pennsylvania, which had an unlikely collaboration between canine veterinarians and human oncologists.

Four million dogs are diagnosed with cancer every year -- cancers very similar to the human versions.

"Down to the microscope, they look very similar and they behave similarly," Dr. Robert Vonderheide at the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania said.

And this translates into the most promising aspect of this study: "They also respond to treatment very similarly," Vonderheide points out.

One of the greatest advantages to studying dogs is they age faster -- literally, in "dog years," so scientists can get the results of their studies more quickly.

"It's like a compressed biological life span that we can study -- the cancer progression -- and also potentially the response to therapy," said Dr. Karin Sorenmo, associate professor of oncology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

In the study involving Kyra, doctors took genetic material from a cancerous tumor, implanted it in healthy infection-fighting b-cells outside the body to train them to attack the lymphoma, and then injected it back into Kyra.

Sorenmo was encouraged by the results. "I'm hoping that this is just the beginning of more trials that can benefit helping dogs, helping people."

Kyra is back to her hyperenergetic and healthy self. She and a number of the dogs in the study are now cancer-free. The researchers estimate they are within two years of testing the vaccine on humans.

Without the dogs, they would be more than a decade away.

"If we didn't have this information that we're learning from vaccinating people's pets, we would still be studying the vaccine in laboratory dishes without a real hope of going forward in the near future," Vondreheide said.

The researchers' optimism resonates on multiple levels for Eisenhower, as a grateful dog owner and dedicated cancer nurse.

"I hope that someday I can give this vaccine to people and to kids -- and to, you know, let people know how it started and where it came from," Eisenhower said.

She can tell them it came from man's best friend.

Copyright © 2008 ABC News Internet Ventures

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CONTACT INFORMATION


Dr. Robert Vonderheide, MD, D. Phil.
Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Cancer Biology Programme and the Gene Therapy and Vaccines Programme
University of Pensylvania School of Medicine
His office telephone number is 215-573-4265 and his email addres is rhv@mail.med.upenn.edu


Dr. Vonderheide graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering in 1985 and from Oxford University, England , as a Rhodes Scholar with a D.Phil. in immunology in 1989. After graduating from Harvard Medical School in 1993, he completed a residency in Internal Medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital and subsequently a clinical fellowship in hematology-oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He joined the University of Pennsylvania in 2001 as assistant professor in medicine and an investigator at the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute. He is funded by the NIH, the Beckman Foundation, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy.

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Research Area: Infectious Disease

Breed: Golden Retriever

The Vector Borne Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine is recruiting cases for a funded research project, which is investigating the potential role of selected flea- and tick-borne bacteria as co-factors in the development of lymphoma in Golden Retrievers. The 1998 Golden Retriever Health Survey showed a statistically significant decrease in lymphoma among Golden Retrievers that had been treated with flea and tick prevention products. This research project will examine one mechanism by which these data might be explained - that infection with Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and/or Anaplasma species bacteria may predispose susceptible dogs to develop lymphoma.

The purpose of this study is to search for evidence of Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and/or Anaplasma infection in Golden Retriever dogs with lymphoma, as compared to age- and sex-matched Golden Retrievers from the same geographic region. Obtaining identical samples from healthy control dogs will be critical to the scientific evaluation of data
obtained from Golden Retrievers with lymphoma. Dr. Ed Breitschwerdt
is the principal investigator and Ashlee Duncan is the graduate
student responsible for the project. The entry criteria for a case
include: Golden Retrievers with a new diagnosis of lymphoma that have not received any antibiotics within 14 days prior to sample collection (or 30 days for azithromycin). Samples should be collected prior to induction of chemotherapeutic agents.

The minimum entry criteria for a control include: Golden Retrievers residing within 100 miles of the case dog and lacking clinical evidence of lymphadenopathy, making the possibility of undetected lymphoma unlikely. Additionally, these control dogs must not have received any antibiotics within 14 days prior to sample collection (or 30 days for azithromycin). For each case, two to three control dogs will be utilized. If possible, these healthy dogs should be similar in age (± 18 months) and sex as the case dog. Healthy dogs may be identified by the owner of the case dog, selected by the case's attending veterinarian, or recruited through the Golden
Retriever Club of America. Cases and controls recruited will
receive free serological and molecular testing for Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma (a $360.00 value based on current serology/ PCR testing costs in our laboratory). Samples to be collected for this research include whole blood, serum, lymph node aspirate(s), and buccal swab(s).

Please contact us at 919-513-8279 or awduncan@ncsu.edu for further information.

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 Research Area: Canine Cancer

Breeds: Akita, American Cocker Spaniel, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Chinese Shar-Pei, Chow Chow, English Cocker Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, Flat-Coated Retriever, German Shepherd, Giant Schnauzer, Golden Retriever, Greyhound, Labrador Retriever, Leonberger, Mastiff, Miniature Poodle, Miniature Schnauzer, Pointer, Pug, Rottweiler, Scottish Terrier, Standard Poodle, Standard Schnauzer, Toy Poodle

After completing the dog genome sequencing project, the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT and collaborators are now working on identifying disease genes predisposing to cancer. Identification of such genes could lead to carrier testing, a better understanding of the disease and long term better treatments for the disease in both dogs and humans.

More information can be found at: www.broad.mit.edu/mammals/dog http://www.broad.mit.edu/mammals/dog.

For each of the below diseases researchers need blood samples from affected dogs as well as blood samples from healthy older (>6 yo) dogs.

Mammary tumors

PI: Kerstin Lindblad-Toh Broad and Elizabeth McNiel, U. Minnesota
Focus: English Springer Spaniel
Additional breeds included: German Shepherds, Cocker Spaniels and Boxers
Please contact: Dog-info@broad.mit.edu

Melanoma

PI: Kerstin Lindblad-Toh Broad and Phil Bergman, Animal Medical Center, NY Breeds included: ALL including Scottish Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Black Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, Chow Chows, and Pugs
Please contact: Dog-info@broad.mit.edu

Lymphoma

PI: Kerstin Lindblad-Toh, Broad
Focus: Golden Retrievers, Boxers
Additional breeds included: Cocker Spaniel, Rottweiler, Akita, Flat- Coated Retriever
Please contact: Dog-info@broad.mit.edu

Mast cell tumors

Collaborators: Kerstin Lindblad-Toh, Broad and Cheryl London, UC Davis
Focus: Pugs and Chinese Shar-Pei
Additional breeds included: Pit Bull Terrier, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Cocker Spaniel, Boxer
Please contact: Dog-info@broad.mit.edu

 Researchers at the AMC Cancer Research Center and University of Colorado Health Science Center are looking for samples for the following projects:

Lymphoma

Researchers need samples from any dog that has an AKC registration number.

Eligible dogs will undergo standard of care treatment and provide blood samples as well. Availability of 2 or more unaffected relatives that are >6 years old is desirable. They also would encourage people who have dogs that are related to study subjects that are affected to participate.

Owners of all dogs will be asked to fill out a follow-up questionnaire.

Hemangiosarcoma

Researchers need blood samples from affected dogs for a study to map susceptibility genes. In some cases, samples may be applied to the development of a diagnostic test for hemangiosarcoma. Eligible dogs must have an AKC registration number. Owners of all dogs will be asked to fill out a follow-up questionnaire.

Visit www.modianolab.org http://www.modianolab.org for additional information on these programs.

Thank you for your attention.

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INNOVATIVE SCREENING & TREATMENT PROGRAMME AVAILABLE FOR CANINE LYMPHOMA CANCER Important Breakthrough in the Treatment of One of the Biggest Cancer Killers in Dogs is a British First October 23, 2006, Nottingham, England ----PR Newswire ---- AN EFFECTIVE and innovative screening, detection and treatment programme for canine lymphoma, one of the most prolific cancers in dogs has been announced by PetScreen, a pioneering British bioscience company. It is the first of its kind to be made commercially available from PetScreen’s Veterinary Cancer Programme, which was launched in the United States in January and in the UK in April at leading veterinary conference and congress events. The lymphoma screen comes after extensive research by PetScreen in both British and North American markets into canine cancer, and will be available through selected veterinary hospitals and primary practices in both markets. The screen itself is based on technology which has emerged post the sequencing of both the human and canine genome and enables malignancies to be detected earlier, when treatment has the best chance of success. Inexpensive, convenient and minimally invasive the screen relies on a small blood serum sample. PetScreen has developed advanced ‘proteomic’ technology uniquely for companion animals, specifically canine at this moment. Their system looks for characteristic patterns to detect lymphoma biomarkers from the blood ‘fingerprint’. Ideally, a mature puppy would be sampled at twelve months, thereafter yearly, but in high risk breeds a six monthly screen is recommended. In addition, any dog which may have been treated for lymphoma should be screened bi-annually for recurrence. UK published evidence says that 25% of all cancers in dogs is attributed to lymphoma. High risk breeds in both the UK and US for lymphoma cancer include golden and flat-coated retrievers, german shepherds, bull mastiffs and certain breeds of spaniels, including English and Irish water spaniels. At risk breeds include boxers, Bernese mountain dogs and rottweilers. Whilst this list is by no means exhaustive the screen should be regarded as part of an overall wellness programme for all breeds. If cancer is detected, a combined rapid histopathology and individualised chemotherapy programme is available which helps select the most effective treatment for each individual patient. PetScreen’s Directed Chemotherapy Assay (DCA) highlights resistance from the start and identifies the treatment most likely to be effective from the start. PetScreen is one of a new generation of companies to utilise technologies which are emerging as a result of genome research. Using advanced bio-marker technology linked to state-of-the-art mass spectrometry, robotics and unique neural software, the serum sample creates the fingerprint which patterns proteins in the blood and enables cancers to be identified. The problems associated with the late detection of cancers are well understood, and whilst proteomic screening is still at an early stage in humans, the work that PetScreen are undertaking in the canine world could have a significant impact on human cancer screening in the very near future. www.pet-screen.com:  PetScreen: Detecting and Treating Cancer BioCity Pennyfoot Street Nottingham NG1 1GF United Kingdom Professor Graeme Radcliffe Chairman PetScreen Limited BioCity Nottingham Pennyfoot Street Nottingham NG1 1GF UK graeme.radcliffe@btconnect.com www.pet-screen.com tel: 08000 284 811 (Free - UK Only) fax: 0115 912 4431 mobile: +44 (0)115 912 4430 +44 (0)115 912 4431 07785 238427

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Auburn to Study Treatment for Lymphoma in Dogs

http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/dec06/061201i.asp

Auburn University has received $1.4 million from the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health to study a new therapy for lymphoma in dogs.

Researchers plan to modify a nonreplicating virus, administer the virus to dogs with lymphoma, and administer a drug to the dogs. The virus will infect lymphoma cells and then encode a protein to convert the drug into a toxin to kill the cells.

Lymphoma is the third most common cancer in dogs. Average life expectancy for dogs undergoing chemotherapy is about one year.
Without any treatment, life expectancy is about two months from the time of diagnosis.

The grant from the National Cancer Institute covers two years of laboratory work and three years of clinical trials.

Dr. Bruce Smith, with the College of Veterinary Medicine's Scott- Ritchey Research Center, is leading the study. Auburn co- investigators include Drs. Curtis Bird, Mary Lynn Higginbotham, Annette Smith, and Elizabeth Whitley.

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The Golden Retriever Club of America is pleased to announce that Golden Retrievers will be one of the pilot breeds currently eligible for participation in a new DNA database. The mapping of the canine genome is expected to have a significant impact on research activities regarding canine genetic disease, and thus there is growing interest among breed clubs and breeders to establish a DNA bank to facilitate research and future disease testing on individual dogs. In response to this evolving need, CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) and OFA have established a DNA bank and database designed to serve both breeders and researchers.

 

This DNA database will serve the canine research community by providing researchers with optimized family groups needed for specific research studies, and will facilitate more rapid progress in research by expediting the sample collection process. It will also allow breeders to take advantage of future DNA-based disease tests as they become available, with the ability to test both current breeding dogs, and important dogs of the past whose DNA is stored in the bank. Researchers funded by such organizations as the Canine Health Foundation and Morris Animal Foundation can apply to use this DNA for specific studies; and owners will have access to their dog's DNA for DNA-based disease testing.

 

DNA databases are most useful when the DNA is linked to both a health history (including but not limited to phenotypic health "clearances"), and to a pedigree. This provides researchers with the ability to select the samples that are of interest to particular studies, by searching the database for dogs that meet specific eligibility criteria. However, all individual dogs, pedigrees, and owners will be coded for anonymity, which can be waived only by the owner. Privacy will be carefully protected according to the instructions of the owner. The owner will also be provided with an individual access code which will permit him or her to update the health history over the lifetime of the dog, since many health conditions of interest may not have developed at the time the dog was entered into the database.

 

DNA can be collected through either a blood sample, or by using buccal (cheek) swabs. Blood samples provide an almost unlimited supply of DNA, while buccal swabs provide adequate DNA for a number of health studies and testing, although significantly less than blood samples.

 

Double the Benefit!

 

In addition to collecting blood samples at the National for future research to be stored in the DNA bank, a current study supported by the Golden Retriever Foundation and GRCA will also be collecting blood samples at the National Specialty. This important research is being conducted at the Broad Institute of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and is attempting to identify genes involved in osteosarcoma and other cancers in Goldens. In a cooperative effort to double the usefulness of each sample, dogs may contribute to both programs with only one blood sample, which will be shared (with the owner's permission) between the DNA bank and the Broad Institute's canine genomic research team.

 

As part of GRCA's participation as a pilot breed, CHIC/OFA will send a representative to the 2005 National Specialty to assist with enrolling as many Goldens as possible into the database. There will be volunteers on site to draw blood or assist with buccal swab collections, and computer capability to process the dog into the database. There will be no charge to enroll a dog in the DNA database at the National Specialty! In addition, for the first 12 months, there will be no charge to enroll dogs using buccal swabs providing the dog has a CHIC certificate (see http://www.caninehealthinfo.org/ )

 

Your participation in this important database will assist health research for decades to come, and we urge everyone to enroll as many dogs as possible in both of these programs. Please come to the collection center on the grounds of the National Specialty on Wednesday or Thursday, September 28 or 29, and show your support for a healthier future for Golden Retrievers. Owners not attending the National are also strongly encouraged to participate in the DNA bank, with enrollment information available on the GRCA website at www.grca.org (link coming soon) or by writing to edziuk@offa.org Costs are $10 using buccal swabs (free for CHIC dogs until Sept, 2006), and $25 using blood samples.

 

Please Spread the Word!

Patient Disease:  Canine Patients with Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Study Name:  Canine Soft Tissue Sarcoma Vaccine Study

Purpose of the Study:  The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness, and to establish the most appropriate dose of a vaccine intended to inhibit the growth of new blood vessels in tumours.  The vaccine is prepared using the DNA from human blood vessel growth factors.  Using this specially prepared vaccine, we hope to stimulate a canine patient's immune system to make antibodies against newly forming blood vessels in a tumour.

Patient Entry Criteria:  In general, these studies are available to qualifying patients living within 100 miles of the Animal Cancer Centre at Colorado State University.  The patient must have the disease of soft tissue sarcoma,  which has been confirmed by biopsy.  The soft tissue sarcoma must be  measurable and accessible to biopsy.  The disease may not have spread to any other area of the body.  In order to qualify for this study, treatment prior to presentation to the Animal Cancer Centre must have been very limited.  The patient is not to have received radiation therapy, any chemotherapy, or any holistic medical treatment for soft tissue sarcoma prior to entry into the study. The patient must not have received steroids or NSAIDs for four weeks before presentation.  No other medical conditions may be present that might limit the patient's life.  No additional medication may be given once the patient is enrolled in the study.  For more information regarding entry criteria, please contact the Consult Coordinator at 970-297-4195.

Owner Responsibilities:  After the initial diagnostic visit, the client is required to bring the patient
to regularly scheduled visits for treatment and evaluation for up to a year.  The client must allow a total of three biopsies to be taken (one pre-treatment and two during treatment) to assess the patient's response to the vaccine.  These biopsy procedures require the patient to be profoundly sedated or anesthetized.  No additional medication may be given once the patient is enrolled in the study.  Procedures or treatments unrelated to the study will be the owner's financial responsibility.

Financial Incentives:  The owner pays for the initial diagnostic work up, usually $300 to $400.  The study pays for all treatment procedures and for all evaluation  recheck visits for a period of one year. For more information regarding financial incentives, please contact the Consult Coordinator at
970-297-4195.

Oral Antimitotic Agent for Dogs with Lymphoma

Animal Cancer Institute Studies Since its inception the Animal Cancer Institute and its Network of veterinary oncologists have offered cutting edge treatment options. The Animal Cancer Institute Network is based in Washington, DC and extends across the United States with sites in California, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington . It is the goal of the Animal Cancer Institute to provide more effective and less toxic options for the treatment of cancer. Collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry allows these options to be provided, in many cases, at substantially reduced costs. For more information on the therapeutic diet clinical study for cats with lymphoma, and the Animal Cancer Institute, visit our website at:www.animalcancerinstitute.com.	The Animal Cancer Institute, LLC Cutting edge options for cancer C. Khanna DVM, PhD, DACVIM T. Rusk DVM   For more information, contact Jennifer Turner: Phone: 202-363-7300 Fax: 202-363-7126 Email:jturner@animalcancerinstitute.com
	You may register your clinic to receive electronic updates on trials available to your clients. Registration for eTrial Updates is available at our website,www.animalcancerinstitute.com.
Oral Antimitotic Agent for Dogs with Lymphoma
Eligibility Criteria Include:
measurable, cytologically diagnosed NH lymphoma (histology collected at study entry) any clinical stage but must have nodal involvement- includes relapsed cases favorable performance score no concurrent chemotherapy (within 14 days of trial entry) no concurrent radiation therapy (within 21 days of trial entry) concurrent use of corticosteroids accepted providing treatment duration is greater than 21 days and/or no clinical improvement is noted. Measurable disease defined by examination, radiographs, ultra-sound, CT or MRI scan Trial Design: Diagnostic and staging tests may be performed at any veterinary hospital within 10 days of initiation of study: Serum biochemistry CBC Urinalysis Thoracic and abdominal radiographs Patients will be treated at a participating Animal Cancer Institute Network clinic. Lymph node biopsies will be required at entry, Day 7, first objective response and at progression or relapse. Trial Support/Funding Includes: Laboratory, biopsy and professional fees (as required for the study) from time of enrollment through Day 56 (additional monthly exams beyond Day 56 will be owner?s financial responsibility) Oral Antimitotic agent through Day 56 (beyond Day 56, additional monthly shipments of study drug supply will be billed to the clinic/investigator at a rate of $50 per shipment) Dogs will receive the oral medication over a 4-week initial phase. Continued therapy will be available pending response to therapy. Long-term follow-up recheck examinations will be performed monthly.

__________________________________________________________

Antiangiogenic Therapy for Dogs with Measurable Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Animal Cancer Institute Studies Since its inception the Animal Cancer Institute and its Network of veterinary oncologists have offered cutting edge treatment options. The Animal Cancer Institute Network is based in Washington, DC and extends across the United States with sites in California, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington .	The Animal Cancer Institute, LLC Cutting edge options for cancer C. Khanna DVM, PhD, DACVIM T. Rusk DVM   Study Monitor? Kate Cadorette Phone: 202-363-7300 Fax: 202-363-7126 Email:kcadorette@animalcancerinstitute.com
Trial eligibility criteria include: client owned pet dogs measurable, histologically confirmed soft tissue sarcomas, not including hemangiosarcomas tumors must be accessible for histopath collection and objective measurement using direct caliper measurement, ultrasound, radiographs or CT/MRI scan. favorable clinical performance status at entry (expected to remain clinically stable for 30 days). no previous exposure to antiangiogenic therapies no chemotherapy within 14 days of trial entry no radiation therapy administered within 21 days of trial entry corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents ok to continue if patient has been receiving for >14 days at time of study entry
Trial Support/Funding Includes: Antiangiogenic peptide provided at no charge Biopsy (as required at trial initiation, date of first objective response and date of relapse) MRI at study entry, and every 3 months through Day 180 for selected patients All patients must be evaluated and treated through a participating Animal Cancer Institute Network site, monthly. Diagnostic and staging tests may be performed at any veterinary hospital within 10 days of initiation (full serum chemistry, CBC, U/A and thoracic radiographs). Dogs will receive a supply of medication for in-home, daily subcutaneous injection or will be treated at a representative clinic every 14 days with a depot injection. Continued therapy will be available pending response to therapy. All examination, tumor imaging and other diagnostic costs are patient?s responsibility. Cases which relapse or are refractory following >30 days on antiangiogenic therapy will be eligible to receive open label gemcitabine therapy. Gemcitabine will be provided at no charge - all other costs associated with drug examination and drug administration will be owner responsibility. Assessment of response will be made following the first cycle of therapy and consideration for a 2nd cycle will be made based on patient response.

__________________________________________________________

Participants Needed for Genetics Study of Canine Osteosarcoma

The Animal Cancer Institute in cooperation with the AMC Cancer Research Center is looking for assistance in a canine cancer research study. The project involves collection of histopathology samples on purebred dogs with osteosarcoma. The purpose of the analysis is to determine how genes impact the development of osteosarcoma in dogs.

Study eligibility criteria include: Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, Scottish Deerhounds and Mastiffs with known pedigrees can participate in this study. Other breeds may be eligible upon approval by the Animal Cancer Institute. Dogs must have a diagnosis of appendicular osteosarcoma (Grades I-II), with no evidence of metastatic disease. There must be at least two unaffected first-degree relatives of the affected dog (parents, siblings, or offspring) that will consent to participation through the donation of 10-15 ml of EDTA-anticoagulated blood (samples from unaffected relatives are not required at the time of diagnosis or sample submission from the affected patient). Informed owner consent form authorizing pre-treatment excisional biopsy (to be collected in a medium supplied by the AMC), and commitment for treatment with an acceptable protocol (e.g. amputation or limb-sparing surgery and systemic chemotherapy with Cisplatin, Carboplatin, Adriamycin, or a combination thereof). Trial Support/Funding Includes: $150 stipend toward cost of biopsy Histopathology and shipping of samples (an approximate value of $130) will be performed at no charge by the AMC Cancer Research Center . For more information please contact Jen Turner at the Animal Cancer Institute (202) 363-7300 or see our website at: www.animalcancerinstitute.com

__________________________________________________________

Patient Disease:  Canine Oral Malignant Melanoma

Study Name:  Melanoma Vaccine Study

Purpose of the Study:  The purpose of this study is to determine if stimulating a patient's immune system in a very specific way will prolong survival times in dogs with oral melanoma.  Also, to determine if this specific immune system stimulation will inhibit new blood vessel formation in the tumour environment.

Patient Entry Criteria:  In general, these studies are available to qualifying patients living within 100 miles of the Animal Cancer Centre at Colorado State University.  The patient must have the disease of oral melanoma which has been confirmed by biopsy.  The disease may have spread to area lymphnodes, but must not have spread to the lungs.  The
oral melanoma tumour masses must be accessible for therapeutic injection and surgical removal.  No other medical conditions may be present that might limit the patient's life.  The patient is not allowed to have received radiation therapy or any chemotherapy prior to presentation.  No additional medication may be given once the patient is enrolled into the study.  For more information regarding entry criteria, please contact the Consult Coordinator at 970-297-4195.

Owner Responsibilities:  The client must allow a biopsy to be performed prior to admission into the study to confirm the diagnosis of oral melanoma.  After the initial diagnostic  visit, the client is required to bring the patient to regularly scheduled visits for treatment and rechecks (on two occasions, visits will be four days apart) for up to a year after treatment.  At each visit of the treatment phase, the patient may receive sedatives or general anesthesia to facilitate therapy.  No additional medication may be given once the patient is enrolled into the study.

Financial Incentives:  The owner pays for the initial diagnostic work up.  The study pays for all  treatment visits and for any adverse events that may occur as a direct result of the treatment injections.  Additionally, the study will pay $750 toward the cost of surgical removal of the tumour.  It is required that the tumour be surgically removed during the course of therapy.  For more information regarding financial incentives, please contact the Consult Coordinator at
970-297-4195.

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study is to determine if stimulating a patient's immune system in a very specific way will prolong survival times in dogs with oral melanoma. Also, to determine if this specific immune system stimulation will inhibit new blood vessel formation in the tumour environment.

_______________________________________________________________

Patient Disease:  Canine Cancer Patients

Study Name:  Chemotherapy and Its Effect on Adaptive Immunity

Purpose of the Study:  The purpose of this study is to evaluate how the immune system is affected by chemotherapeutic agents.

Patient Entry Criteria:  In general, these studies are available to qualifying patients living within 100 miles of the Animal Cancer Centre at Colorado State University.  Eligible patients are canine cancer patients beginning specific chemotherapy protocols.  The patient must be prescribed to begin one of the following chemotherapy protocols:  Adriamycin alone;  Madison-Wisconsin  multi-drug protocol;  or specific  protocols  involving carboplatin, or cisplatin.  Patients  may  not  have
received chemotherapy or steroids within two weeks of starting this study. Additionally, patients may not have concurrent disease that might  prevent them from completing the study.

Owner Responsibilities:  This study pays only the cost of blood tests related to the study.  The client is responsible for all costs related to the treatment of the patient's cancer, and for all costs related to complications that might arise as a result of treatment of the patient's cancer.  All blood samples related to the study must be collected at the Animal Cancer Centre.

Financial Incentives:  This study pays the cost of blood tests related to the study.  For more  information regarding financial incentives, please contact the Consult Coordinator at 970-297-4195.

__________________________________________________________

Patient Disease:  Canine patients with soft tissue sarcoma.

Study Name:  Canine Soft Tissue Sarcoma Vaccine Study

Purpose of the study:  The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness, and to establish the most appropriate dose of a vaccine intended to inhibit the growth of new blood vessels in tumours. The vaccine is prepared using the DNA from human blood vessel growth factors. Using this specially prepared vaccine, we hope to stimulate a canine patient's immune system to make antibodies against newly forming blood vessels in a tumor.

Patient Entry Criteria:  In general, these studies are available to qualifying patients living within 100 miles of the Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University. The patient must have the disease of soft tissue sarcoma, which has been confirmed by biopsy. The soft tissue sarcoma must be measurable and accessible to biopsy. The disease may not have spread to any other area of the body. In order to qualify for this study, treatment prior to presentation to the Animal Cancer Centre must have been very limited. The patient is not to have received radiation therapy, any chemotherapy, or any holistic medical treatment for soft tissue sarcoma prior to entry into the study. The patient must not have received steroids (like prednisone) or NSAIDs (like carprofen) for four weeks before presentation. No other medical conditions may be present  that might limit the patient's life. And no additional medication may be given once the patient is enrolled into the study. For more information regarding entry criteria, please contact our Consult Coordinator at 970-297-4195.

Owner Responsibilities:  After the initial diagnostic visit, the client is required to bring the patient to  regularly scheduled visits for treatment and evaluation for up to a year. The client must allow a total of three biopsies to be taken (one pre-treatment and two during treatment) to assess the patientís response to the vaccine. These biopsy procedures require the patient to be profoundly sedated or anesthetized. No additional medication may be given once the patient is enrolled into the study. Procedures or treatments unrelated to the study will be the owner's financial responsibility.

Financial Incentives:  The owner pays for the initial diagnostic work up, usually $300 to $400. The  study pays for all treatment procedures and for all evaluation recheck visits for a period of one year. For more information regarding financial incentives, please contact our Consult Coordinator at 970-297-4195.

________________________________________________________

Patient Disease:  Canine patients with melanoma, hemangiosarcoma, or
osteosarcoma

Study Name:  Interferon Tau Study

Purpose of the study:  The purpose of this study is to collect tolerability (toxicity), immune response  and preliminary effectiveness information for the administration of Interferon Tau in canine cancer patients. The information generated by this study will then be used to design a larger study comparing standard-of-care therapy to standard-of-care therapy plus Interferon Tau.

Patient Entry Criteria:  In general, these studies are available to qualifying patients living within 100 miles of the Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University. Eligible patients are canine cancer patients with melanoma, hemangiosarcoma, or osteosarcoma. When the patient has exhausted all standard-of-care therapy options, or the client declines standard-of-care therapy, the client will be offered entry into this study. Dogs which stage positive for metastasis are considered eligible. Once entered into the trial, an owner may elect, at any time, to discontinue with the trial and seek other treatment.

Owner Responsibilities:  The client is responsible for all costs related to the diagnosis and treatment of the patientís cancer, and for all costs related to complications that might arise  as a result of treatment of the patientís cancer. All evaluations and blood samples related to the study must be collected at the Animal Cancer Center. All patients will be evaluated two weeks following the initiation of therapy and then at monthly intervals.

Financial Incentives:  This study pays only the cost of Interferon Tau. For more information regarding financial incentives, please contact our Consult Coordinator at 970-297-4195.

___________________________________________________________

Patient Disease:  Canine Hemangiosarcoma of the Spleen

Study Name:  Hemangiosarcoma Metronomic Chemotherapy Study

Purpose of the study:  The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of metronomic chemotherapy for the treatment of canine splenic hemangiosarcoma. Metronomic chemotherapy is a method of delivering chemotherapeutic agents at lower doses, but administering the doses more often. This study is designed as a randomized clinical trial. There are two treatment groups. One  group receives doxorubicin (Adriamycin®) chemotherapy every two weeks for five treatments. The other group receives metronomic chemotherapy using etoposide, cyclophosphamide, and piroxicam.

Patient Entry Criteria:  In general, these studies are available to qualifying patients living within 100 miles of the Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University. The patient must have the disease of hemangiosarcoma of the spleen, which has been confirmed by biopsy and histopathology. The spleen must be surgically removed and the disease may not have spread to any other area of the body. In order to qualify for this study, the patient is not to have received radiation therapy,
any chemotherapy, or any holistic medical treatment for splenic hemangiosarcoma prior to entry into the study. The patient must not have received steroids (like prednisone) for three weeks prior to presentation. No other medical conditions may be present that might prevent the patient from completing the study. And no additional medication related to the disease may be given once the patient is enrolled into the study. For more information regarding entry criteria, please contact our Consult Coordinator at 970-297-4195.

 Owner Responsibilities:
 This study requires frequents visits to the Animal Cancer Center. The client must schedule and keep all appointments related to the study. Should the owner decide to withdraw from the study, the owner assumes responsibility for all costs incurred.

Financial Incentives:  The owner pays for the initial diagnosis and surgical treatment of the disease. Additionally, the owner is responsible for the cost of the staging tests used to determine if the patient meets the eligibility requirements of the study (usually about $600). Once eligible, the study pays for all study-related examinations, tests, and chemotherapy treatments for up to one year. For more information regarding financial incentives, please contact our Consult Coordinator at 970-297-4195.

____________________________________________________________

Patient Disease:  Canine Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Study Name:  Soft Tissue Sarcoma Heat and Radiation Perfusion Study

Purpose of the study:  Localized hyperthermia (heat) combined with radiation has been shown to be an effective treatment to control soft tissue sarcoma. The purpose of this study is to discover the mechanism of how localized hyperthermia enhances the effects of radiation therapy.

Patient Entry Criteria:  In general, these studies are available to qualifying patients living within 100 miles of the Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University. The patient must have the disease of soft tissue sarcoma, which has been confirmed by biopsy and histopathology. No other medical conditions may be present that might prevent the patient from completing this six-week study. For more information regarding entry criteria, please contact our Consult Coordinator at 970-297-4195.

Owner Responsibilities:  This study requires six weeks of frequents visits to the Animal CancerCentre. The patient will receive daily treatments (M-F) for five weeks of the six-week protocol. The client must schedule and keep all appointments related to the study. Should the owner  decide to withdraw  from the study, the owner may be held  responsible for all costs
incurred.

Financial Incentives:  The owner pays an initial $250. The study pays all remaining costs associated with initial diagnostics, hyperthermia treatment, radiation therapy, and all costs associated with complications resulting from treatment. Costs associated with tumor recurrence, metastasis, routine health maintenance, or any treatment beyond hyperthermia and radiation intended for tumor control are the responsibility of the owner. For more information regarding financial incentives, please contact our Consult Coordinator at 970-297-4195.

                                                                           _______________________________________________________________

Patient Disease:  Canine Osteosarcoma of a Limb

Study Name:  Osteosarcoma and Meloxicam Study

Purpose of the study:  The purpose of this study is to evaluate the benefits of the drug meloxicam inthe postoperative pain management of canine patients with osteosarcoma.

Patient Entry Criteria:  In general, these studies are available to qualifying patients living within 100 miles of the Animal Cancer Centere at Colorado Sate University. Eligible patients are dogs with histologically confirmed osteosarcoma of an extremity. The patientís treatment plan must include amputation of the effected limb followed by doxorubicin (Adriamycin®) chemotherapy. Diagnostic evaluation must indicate no spread of cancer in the patient. Additionally, the patient must have no pre-existing heart condition that would make doxorubicin an inappropriate choice for treatment. Patients may not have concurrent disease that might prevent them from completing the study.

Owner Responsibilities:  This study pays only the cost of meloxicam. The client is responsible for all costs related to the diagnosis and treatment of the patientís cancer, and for all costs related to complications that might arise as a result of treatment of the patient's cancer.

Financial Incentives:  This study pays only the cost of meloxicam.

_______________________________________________________________

Participants Needed for Genetics Study of Canine Osteosarcoma

Animal Cancer Institute Trials
Since its inception the Animal Cancer Institute and its Network of veterinary oncologists have offered cutting edge treatment options to the metropolitan D.C. area. In the last six months the Animal Cancer Institute Network has expanded across the United States, with newly active treatment sites in New York, Florida, Texas, and California.

It is the goal of the Animal Cancer Institute to provide more effective and less toxic options for the treatment of cancer. Collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry allows these options to be provided, in many cases at no cost. For more information on the Animal Cancer Institute, visit our website at: www.animalcancerinstitute.com. 
The Animal Cancer Institute, LLC
Cutting edge options for cancer
C. Khanna DVM, PhD, DACVIM
T. Rusk DVM

For more information contact Jennifer Turner
Phone: 202-363-7300
Fax: 202-363-7126
Email: jturner@animalcancerinstitute.com   

You may register your clinic to receive electronic updates on trials available to your clients. Registration for eTrial Updates is available at our website, www.animalcancerinstitute.com.

The Animal Cancer Institute in cooperation with the AMC Cancer Research Center is looking for assistance in a canine cancer research study. The project involves collection of histopathology samples on purebred dogs with osteosarcoma. The purpose of the analysis is to determine how genes impact the development of osteosarcoma in dogs.

Study eligibility criteria include:
• Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, Scottish Deerhounds and Mastiffs with known pedigrees can participate in this study. Other breeds may be eligible upon approval by the Animal Cancer Institute.
• Dogs must have a diagnosis of appendicular osteosarcoma (Grades I-II), with no evidence of metastatic disease.
• There must be at least two unaffected first-degree relatives of the affected dog (parents, siblings, or offspring) that will consent to participation through the donation of 10-15 ml of EDTA-anticoagulated blood (samples from unaffected relatives are not required at the time of diagnosis or sample submission from the affected patient).
• Informed owner consent form authorizing pre-treatment excisional biopsy (to be collected in a medium supplied by the AMC), and commitment for treatment with an acceptable protocol (e.g. amputation or limb-sparing surgery and systemic chemotherapy with Cisplatin, Carboplatin, Adriamycin, or a combination thereof).
Trial Support/Funding Includes:
• $150 stipend toward cost of biopsy • Histopathology and shipping of samples (an approximate value of $130) will be performed at no charge by the AMC Cancer Research Center .

For more information please contact Jen Turner at the Animal Cancer Institute (202) 363-7300 or see our website at: www.animalcancerinstitute.com

________________________________________________________

Antiangiogenic Therapy for Dogs with Measurable Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Animal Cancer Institute Studies

Since its inception the Animal Cancer Institute and its Network of veterinary oncologists have offered cutting edge treatment options. The Animal Cancer Institute Network is based in Washington, DC and extends across the United States with sites in California, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington .

It is the goal of the Animal Cancer Institute to provide more effective and less toxic options for the treatment of cancer. Collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry allows these options to be provided, in many cases, at substantially reduced costs. For more information on the therapeutic diet clinical study for cats with lymphoma, and the Animal Cancer Institute, visit our website at: www.animalcancerinstitute.com.

The Animal Cancer Institute, LLC
Cutting edge options for cancer
C. Khanna DVM, PhD, DACVIM
T. Rusk DVM


Study Monitor– Kate Cadorette
Phone: 202-363-7300 Fax: 202-363-7126
Email: kcadorette@animalcancerinstitute.com

You may register your clinic to receive electronic updates on trials available to your clients. Registration for eTrial Updates is available at our website, www.animalcancerinstitute.com.

 

Trial eligibility criteria include:
• client owned pet dogs
• measurable, histologically confirmed soft tissue sarcomas, not including hemangiosarcomas
• tumors must be accessible for histopath collection and objective measurement using direct caliper measurement, ultrasound, radiographs or CT/MRI scan.
• favorable clinical performance status at entry (expected to remain clinically stable for 30 days).
• no previous exposure to antiangiogenic therapies
• no chemotherapy within 14 days of trial entry
• no radiation therapy administered within 21 days of trial entry
• corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents ok to continue if patient has been receiving for >14 days at time of study entry

Trial Support/Funding Includes:
• Antiangiogenic peptide provided at no charge
• Biopsy (as required at trial initiation, date of first objective response and date of relapse)
• MRI at study entry, and every 3 months through Day 180 for selected patients

All patients must be evaluated and treated through a participating Animal Cancer Institute Network site, monthly.

Diagnostic and staging tests may be performed at any veterinary hospital within 10 days of initiation (full serum chemistry, CBC, U/A and thoracic radiographs).

Dogs will receive a supply of medication for in-home, daily subcutaneous injection or will be treated at a representative clinic every 14 days with a depot injection. Continued therapy will be available pending response to therapy.

All examination, tumor imaging and other diagnostic costs are patient’s responsibility.

Cases which relapse or are refractory following >30 days on antiangiogenic therapy will be eligible to receive open label gemcitabine therapy. Gemcitabine will be provided at no charge - all other costs associated with drug examination and drug administration will be owner responsibility. Assessment of response will be made following the first cycle of therapy and consideration for a
2nd cycle will be made based on patient response.

For more information please contact Kate Cadorette at the Animal Cancer Institute (202-363-7300) or see our website at www.animalcancerinstitiute.com.

________________________________________________________
 

Oral Antimitotic Agent for Dogs with Lymphoma
 

Animal Cancer Institute Studies

Since its inception the Animal Cancer Institute and its Network of veterinary oncologists have offered cutting edge treatment options. The Animal Cancer Institute Network is based in Washington, DC and extends across the United States with sites in California, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington .

It is the goal of the Animal Cancer Institute to provide more effective and less toxic options for the treatment of cancer. Collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry allows these options to be provided, in many cases, at substantially reduced costs. For more information on the therapeutic diet clinical study for cats with lymphoma, and the Animal Cancer Institute, visit our website at: www.animalcancerinstitute.com.

The Animal Cancer Institute, LLC
Cutting edge options for cancer
C. Khanna DVM, PhD, DACVIM
T. Rusk DVM


For more information, contact
Jennifer Turner:

Phone: 202-363-7300
Fax: 202-363-7126
Email: jturner@animalcancerinstitute.com

You may register your clinic to receive electronic updates on trials available to your clients. Registration for eTrial Updates is available at our website, www.animalcancerinstitute.com.

Oral Antimitotic Agent for Dogs with Lymphoma

Eligibility Criteria Include:

• measurable, cytologically diagnosed NH lymphoma (histology collected at study entry)
• any clinical stage but must have nodal involvement- includes relapsed cases
• favorable performance score
• no concurrent chemotherapy (within 14 days of trial entry)
• no concurrent radiation therapy (within 21 days of trial entry)
• concurrent use of corticosteroids accepted providing treatment duration is greater than 21 days and/or no clinical improvement is noted. Measurable disease defined by examination, radiographs, ultra-sound, CT or MRI scan

Trial Design:
Diagnostic and staging tests may be performed at any veterinary hospital within 10 days of initiation of study:
• Serum biochemistry
• CBC
• Urinalysis
• Thoracic and abdominal radiographs

Patients will be treated at a participating Animal Cancer Institute Network clinic. Lymph node biopsies will be required at entry, Day 7, first objective response and at progression or relapse.

Trial Support/Funding Includes:
• Laboratory, biopsy and professional fees (as required for the study) from time of enrollment through Day 56 (additional monthly exams beyond Day 56 will be owner’s financial responsibility)
• Oral Antimitotic agent through Day 56 (beyond Day 56, additional monthly shipments of study drug supply will be billed to the clinic/investigator at a rate of $50 per shipment)

Dogs will receive the oral medication over a 4-week initial phase. Continued therapy will be available pending response to therapy. Long-term follow-up recheck examinations will be performed monthly.

For more information please contact the Animal Cancer Institute (202-363-7300) or see our website at www.animalcancerinstitiute.com.
 

Wednesday, April 6, 2005
What price a pet's life? $45,000 to treat Comet
 

Here is an Update on Comet's Progress, 21 Months Since His Original Diagnosis,  and 15 Months Since his Bone Marrow Transplant   Comet has been doing very well and is currently off all medications related to his transplant.  He has no signs of graft versus host disease, is apparently free of lymphoma, and has sustained engraftment.  He runs five miles every day with his owner and other Golden Retriever companion, Ajax.  This month is 21 months since his original diagnosis and 15 months since his transplant.     Dr. Westfall and Dr. Sullivan, continue working towards providing transplants for additional patients, and they have 8 patients with lymphoma being staged for both allogenic and autologous transplants.  Currently, the cost for an autologous transplant is expected to be around $12K US and an allogenic transplant between $18-20K depending upon the size of the dog, the number of matching studies, and the length of hospitalization.  The doctors hope that these costs will continue to decline as they learn more and streamline the process.  With an autologous transplant they expect to have long term disease free periods in 30% of these patients.  With allogenic transplants with matching DLA donors (sibling donors), they expect up to 60% long term disease free periods.  These numbers are estimates based upon the results of  autologous transplants done 25 years ago adjusted for improvements in chemo protocols and supportive care post transplant.    It is important that staging for the transplants be started as soon after the initial diagnosis as possible since autologous transplants are best done in the first remission.  Also, the use of Neupogen and un-irradiated blood products before the transplant can interfere with mobilization and engraftment.

"Comet is like many Golden Retrievers: gentle, devoted, enthusiastically greeting each day wih his wagging, plumed tail. He loves to swim, run in the woods and pack around his large toy hamburger.

But Comet is different. He's one of very few dogs worldwide to receive a stem-cell transplant for cancer treatment, rather than primarily for research. Cost of the therapy: $45,000.

Visit the following link, to read more about the miraculous story of Comet, the Golden Retriever, written by Warren King, Seattle Times Medical Reporter. (Permission has been granted by the Seattle Times, to post this link.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002232414_dogtransplant06m.html

Drs. Edmund Sullivan and Theresa Westfall,
Veterinarians at Bellingham Veterinary & Critical Care
Bellingham, Washington

Drs. Edmund Sullivan and Theresa Westfall, veterinarians at Bellingham Veterinary & Critical Care, located in Bellingham, Washington, have been extraordinary at "pushing the envelope", trying to get treatment for desperately sick animals. They have been working with the researchers at the Fred
Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, located in Seattle, Washington, a world renowned facility for cancer treatment. People come from all over the world, to be treated at FHCRC. You can visit the centre on line, at http://www.fhcrc.org/

Many of you may be familiar with the FHCRC, because of the work they have been doing to "develop the resources necessary to map and clone canine genes, in an effort to utilize dogs as a model system for genetics and cancer research. The Dog Genome Project is moving from the FHCRC to the National Human Genome Research Institute, which is part of the National Institutes of Health, located in Bethesda, Maryland. The project will change its name to the NHGRI Dog Genome Project, and will be found on the web at http://research.nhgri.nih.gov/dog_genome/.

About a year ago, Drs. Sullivan and Westfall and the team at the FHCRC did a bone marrow transplant on a young Golden Retriever from San Juan Island named Comet, who was suffering from T-Cell lymphoma. This was not an experimental treatment, in the sense that most of the bone marrow transplant knowledge for humans, has been gained through work with dogs. However, this was one of the few times, at least in the United States, that a pet had been given a bone marrow transplant for lymphoma. Comet is alive and well, and accompanies his people on a 5 mile run every day. Comet's "one year anniversary" is coming up in a couple of weeks!

The following, is an excerpt from an email, that was just shared with a group of Golden Retriever fanciers and breeders:

"We are currently treating cases of high grade lymphoma (any subtype is fair game, T Cell, B Cell, lymphoblastic, etc.) and leukemia. These two groups are known to respond well to bone marrow transplants--there are literally thousands of people who have been treated. Comet is evidence that current knowledge is out there and potentially can be adapted to treat some of these common forms of cancer in dogs." (Thanks to Nancy Clifton)

If you have a dog with lymphoma, or know of one, they may be eligible for this treatment . This is a fantastic breakthrough. We have all done our homework, and we all know that there is much more homework to be done, but this opens the window of hope even further, for our beloved heart dogs.



Contact Information:

Edmund Sullivan, DVM
Theresa Westfall, DVM
Bellingham Veterinary & Critical Care
720 Virginia Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-734-0720
360-752-5555 fax
bvcc720@yahoo.com
http://www.skagitvalleyherald.com/articles/2004/04/12/news/news06.txt

You or your veterinarian can call Bellingham Veterinary and Critical Care, at
360-734-0720. They are located at 720 Virginia Street, Bellingham, WA, USA, 98225.

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Index of Grants:

• CHF Grant # X65:
  Identification and Characterization of Genetic Mutations in Canine Mast Cell Tumours
   

• CHF Grant # 1626
  Significance of Tumour Suppressor Genes in Canine Cancer
   

• CHF Grant # 2025
  Growth Signaling Pathways in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Canine Cancer
   

• CHF Grant #2038: 
  The Molecular Cytogenics of Canine Lymphosarcoma:
  Correlating Chromosomal Changes with Clinical Disease
   

• CHF Grant # 2254
  Heritable and Sporadic Genetic Lesions in Canine Lymphoma and Osteosarcoma
   

• CHF Grant # 1626
  Significance of Tumour Suppressor Genes in Canine Cancer
   

• CHF Grant # 2646
  Characterization of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Dysfunction in Malignant Histiocytosis
   

• OVC prof takes cancer research to new heights
  by Karen Gallant

Index of Articles:

• To All Friends of Dogs
   

• Current Canine Health Foundation Studies In Cancer
   

• Golden Retriever Club of American Foundation
   

• Vaccine studies for canine malignant melanoma
   

• Royal treatment for a sick Rover
   

• Cellular Genomics - A Cytogenetic Investigation of Canine Soft Tissue Sarcomas
   

• Characterization of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Dysfunction in Malignant Histiocytosis
   

• K9 Cancer Awareness, Research, and Education
   

• Canine Cancer Research Information
   

• DNA Sought for Cancer Research
   

• Some clinical trials offer free cancer treatment
   

• Free Chemotherapy for Dogs with Lymphoma
   

• Transferring Receptor Expression by Canine Brain Tumors

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To All Friends of Dogs:

Sincerely,
Rhonda Hovan
rhondahovan@aol.com 
330-668-0044

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In a recent issue of the "Golden Retriever News", Rhonda Hovan, breeder/exhibitor/judge called upon every Golden Retriever Club of America member, to make a personal financial commitment to support canine health research. Below, you will find an abstract of each of the grants being carried out by the Canine Health Foundation, that address an aspect of canine cancer. Each of these studies holds great promise, not only for Golden Retrievers, but for all pure breeds, but without sustained commitment from each of us, studies like these, and studies being carried out right here, at the University of Guelph's Ontario Veterinary College, will never achieve their full potential, of being able to provide our dogs, whether pure breed or mixed breed, with longer, healthier lives.

The Smiling Blue Skies Cancer Fund (Pet Trust: In Memory of Blues) is one way that you can help make a difference.  Every donation you make to the fund, and every piece of one-of-a-kind art work that you order, helps us move one step closer to the  day, we can truly laugh in the face of the cruel joke we call cancer.

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• Principles of Chemotherapy
• When Should Chemotherapy Be Considered?
• Tumour Growth and Response to Chemotherapy
• Pharmacologic Principles of Chemotherapy (Dose Response Curve, Therapeutic Index, Drug Classes, Resistance to Chemotherapy, Chemotherapy Protocols, Combinations and Scheduling, Multi-Modal Therapy, Dose Determination,Administration)
• Chemotherapy Safety Guidelines
• Management of Chemotherapy Side Effects
• Chemotherapy Dosages, Indications, and Adverse Reactions, including, Asparaginase/Elspar, Carboplatin/Paraplatin, CCNU/ Lomustine, Cisplatin/Platinol, Cyclophosphamide/Cytoxan, Doxorubicin/ Adriamycin, and Vincristine/Oncovin
• Chemotherapy Dosage Conversion Chart

http://www.gcvs.com/oncology/pwc/chemoinformation.htm

Transferring Receptor Expression by Canine Brain Tumors
Principal Investigator: Natasha Olby, PhD, North Carolina State University

Abstract: Dogs that are not treated following diagnosis of a brain tumour survive an average of only two weeks. Treatment with either surgery and/or radiation can extend their survival to about ten months. Clearly there is a need for new approaches to treating brain tumours in dogs if survival is to be improved. In humans, malignant brain tumours are being treated successfully with toxins targeted specifically to a marker expressed by tumour cells: the transferrin receptor. In preliminary work, we have shown that untreated canine brain tumours also express this marker. The primary aim of this project is to establish whether brain tumours that have recurred following treatment with radiation or surgery still express the transferrin receptor. This information will allow us to determine whether transferrin receptor targeted toxins should be used as the primary form of treatment of brain tumours, or can be used to treat recurrent tumours following more conventional therapy. We hypothesize that brain tumours will express transferrin receptors at high levels after treatment and therefore that transferrin-linked therapy can be instituted in combination with more conventional therapy.

Final Report: Immunohistochemical staining for transferrin receptors has been completed on brain tumours from 80 dogs. Analysis indicates that transferrin receptors were expressed by all of the tumours. In addition, collaboration with another group led to investigation of the expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IFG-1R), and it was determined that IFG-1R is also expressed very strongly in certain types of brain cancers. This study also determined that a third receptor (EGFR), is also expressed on many of the brain tumours. Each of the various receptors that are expressed in different types of brain cancers may lead to therapies targeted specifically to those cancers.

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Grants

CHF Grant # X65:
Identification and Characterization of Genetic Mutations in Canine Mast Cell Tumours
Principal Investigator: Cheryl London, DVM, PhD;
University of California, Davis

The most common malignant tumour in dogs is the mast cell tumour (MCT, a form of skin cancer), occurring with an incidence of close to 20% in the canine population. MCTs range from relatively benign to extremely aggressive, leading to tumour spread and eventual death. Particular breeds of dog are at risk for the development of this tumour, indicating a role for genetic factors. We have previously identified mutations in the gene c-kit in 30-50% of dog MCTs. c-Kit plays a critical role in regulating the growth and function of normal mast cells, and as the mutations we discovered cause uncontrolled function of c-kit, it is likely they influence MCT development in dogs. This proposal will establish a prospective tumour registry of dog MCTs to be used for investigation of the true incidence of c-kit mutations within specific dog breeds. Moreover, the studied outlined in this grant will identify additional genetic mutations present in dog MCTs that can be used for the development of new targeted therapeutics. In summary, this work will provide a much more detailed understanding of dog MCTs, thereby building a framework for the development of new therapies and strategies for disease prevention.

Start date and duration: January, 2003, for two years

Recruitment is beginning for this study. Golden Retrievers affected with mast cell tumour(s) are eligible, and several tissue samples prepared in a specific way are required.

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CHF Grant # 1626
Significance of Tumour Suppressor Genes in Canine Cancer
Principal Investigator:  Jaime Modiano, VMD, PhD
AMC Cancer Research Centre

Lymphomas and leukemias (cancer of white blood cells), and melanomas (tumours of pigmented cells responsible for skin colouring) are among the most common cancers of dogs. These tumours can occur in any breed.
However, lymphoma and leukemia are especially common in Golden Retrievers and Boxers, and melanoma is seen more often in Irish and Gordon Setters, Standard and Miniature Schnauzers, Doberman Pinschers, and Scottish Terriers, suggesting that these diseases may have a hereditary component.
Like other tumours, lymphoma, leukemia, and melanoma arise from cells that grow in an uncontrolled fashion. Normally, tumour suppressor genes would constrain or eliminate these renegade cells, but mutation can disable these genes in cancer cells, contributing to the development and progression of cancer. This laboratory has characterized the mechanisms that control tumour suppressor gene function in canine cells. For these studies, the frequency of mutations of two important tumour suppressor genes in canine melanoma and lymphoma, will be examined.  This will enable them, to determine the relationship of tumour suppressor gene mutations with the prevalence of these cancers in high-risk breeds, as well as with prognosis and outcome. The results from the studies will provide tools that may predict the risk of a dog or its offspring to develop these devastating tumours.  This information could have an immediate, visible, and long-lasting impact on canine health, when used judiciously for breeding decisions. Additionally, it may be useful in the future, by paving the way towards the development of advanced molecular therapies for canine cancer.

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CHF Grant # 2025
Growth Signaling Pathways in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Canine Cancer
Principal Investigator: Stuart Helfand, DVM
School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin
Co-Investigator and Contact Person:  Jaime Modiano, VMD, PhD
AMC Cancer Research Centre

Hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a common cancer in dogs that originates from cells lining the blood vessels. HSA can affect any dog, but is seen more often in German Shepherds, Skye Terriers, and Golden Retrievers.  This suggests that this disease has a heritable component. Tumours arise when cells respond inappropriately to growth factors, allowing them to divide continuously in an uncontrolled fashion.  Tumour suppressor genes contain or eliminate these rapidly dividing cells, but mutations in these genes can disable their ability to function correctly.  This laboratory is examining the idea that the loss of function of one of these tumour suppressor genes, PTEN, leads to the increased production of tumour growth factors. In their studies, they will examine the frequency of the mutations in the PTEN gene from dogs with HSA, and the relationship of these mutations to increased production of a specific tumour growth factor, VEGF. The results of their research could lead to tests for screening dogs for mutations in PTEN, and information could have an immediate and long-lasting impact on canine health when used judiciously for breeding decisions. They will also test the function within these cells, as a treatment for HSA.  Such work may lead the way for the further development of novel therapies for the treatment of canine hemangiosarcoma.

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CHF Grant #2038: 
The Molecular Cytogenics of Canine Lymphosarcoma:
Correlating Chromosomal Changes with Clinical Disease
Principal Investigator:  Robert Dunstan, DVM, MS
Texas A & M University
Co-investigator:  Matthew Breen, PhD
Animal Health Trust, Great Britain

Cancer kills.  Twenty years ago, the diagnosis of lymphosarcoma (a tumour of the lymph glands) in humans was almost invariably fatal. However, with the development of improved means to sub-classify this neoplasm and the tailoring of therapies that are subtype-specific, more and more forms of lymphosarcoma are treatable.  One of the most important means of sub-classification of human tumours is based on the identification of chromosome abnormalities.  In the dog, lymphosarcoma comprises one in five malignancies;  however, the extent and identity of chromosome aberrations is still unknown.  This is largely because the chromosomes of dogs were extremely difficult to identify with confidence.  Recently, we have developed a set of canine chromosome-specific reagents that allow us to identify conclusively every dog chromosome.  We propose to use these reagents to identify the chromosome aberrations associated with dog lymphosarcoma and to investigate the correlation between these aberrations and the clinical disease.  Such an approach offers a means to potentially sub-divide this diverse disease in dogs, thereby offering new information of diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.  Identification of specific chromosome aberrations will also help to investigate the correlation between the genetic etiologies in dogs with those in humans.

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CHF Grant # 2254
Heritable and Sporadic Genetic Lesions in Canine Lymphoma and Osteosarcoma
Principal Investigator:  Jaime Modiano, VMD, PhD
AMC Cancer Research Centre

Lymphoma (cancer of the lymph glands) and osteosarcoma (bone cancer) are two common cancers of dogs with remarkable breed predisposition. Lymphoma accounts for approximately 20% of all canine tumours, and greater than 80% of cancer originating from blood cells. Osteosarcoma is the most common bone tumour in dogs, accounting for 85% of skeletal cancers. All cancers have a genetic basis, and in effect, these conditions represent various diseases, each sharing one or a few genetic abnormalities that contributes to overall risk and treatment response.  However, a means does not exist to identify individual genes and larger regions within the genome that appear to be important in canine cancer. For this project, we propose to confirm the frequency and significance of these genetic anomalies in lymphoma and osteosarcoma of Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, Irish Setters, and Bernese Mountain Dogs. This work will begin to determine which of these anomalies may be heritable and which may be sporadic, and pave the way to apply this knowledge for clinical benefits by providing potential targets for treatment, and tools to determine individual risk to develop these types of cancer or produce cancer-prone progeny.

This study has enrolled 24 dogs affected with lymphoma (LSA) and 18 dogs affected with osteosarcoma (OSA), and their first degree relatives. DNA from these tumours has been examined using molecular cytogenetics (comparative genomic hybridization, or CGH.), exploring the loss or amplification of selected oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes (including p16, Rb, and PTEN). Preliminary data indicate that the Rb tumour suppressor pathway is inactivated in all cases of LSA, and is inactivated or compromised in all OSA cases. Collaborations resulting from this study are ongoing with several researchers, which permits maximum utilization resources. Intriguing data is being generated that may help owners and treating veterinarians make treatment decisions based on breed specific risks. Recruitment for this study is ongoing. Owners of Goldens with lymphoma or osteosarcoma are urged to participate. The owner will need to submit biopsy samples, a blood sample, a pedigree, a signed consent form, and agree to acceptable chemotherapy treatment. Blood samples will also be needed from 2 unaffected first degree relatives (parents, siblings, offspring). The biopsy sample must be prepared in a very specific way, using a solution supplied by the researchers in advance. Therefore, the researchers must be contacted at least a day or two PRIOR to the surgery. This minor delay will not adversely affect the outcome for the dog. In addition, the dog must not have started treatment such as chemotherapy or prednisone before the biopsy. This study has resulted in two manuscripts in preparation for peer reviewed publications.

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CHF Grant # 1626
Significance of Tumour Suppressor Genes in Canine Cancer
Principal Investigator:  Jaime Modiano, VMD, PhD
AMC Cancer Research Centre

Conclusions were that dogs with lymphoma and certain kinds of leukemia express a receptor that is of interest in new approaches to treatment of human hemolymphatic cancers. Therefore, research into developing new targeted therapies for treatment of human cancers may possibly be accomplished using dogs as a model of disease. This should benefit dogs through the addition of human research money and effort toward understanding canine lymphma and leukemia, and the potential development of similar targeted treatments for canine cancers.

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CHF Grant # 2646
Characterization of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Dysfunction in Malignant Histiocytosis
Principal Investigator: Cheryl London, DVM, PhD, University of California, Davis


Malignant histiocytosis (MH), while rare in people, occurs frequently in certain breeds of dogs including Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers, Flat-Coated Retrievers and Bernese Mountain Dogs. There is no effective therapy for this disease and nearly all patients die within 2 to 4 months of diagnosis. The purpose of this proposal is to evaluate MH tumour specimens for mutations in genes that may contribute to the development of this devastating cancer. The genes of interest are those that code for proteins known as growth factor receptors. These proteins are present on the surface of the cell and when stimulated by growth factors, signal into the cell promoting cell survival and growth. Dysregulation of growth factor receptors is a common mechanism through which normal cells undergo transformation into cancer cells. Significant research has been directed towards the development of inhibitors capable of blocking the function of dysregulated receptors. Recent success of this approach has been realized with the inhibitor
Gleevec in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia in people. The purpose of this proposal is to identify growth factor receptors that are dysregulated in MH to provide the foundation for future clinical application of growth factor receptor inhibitors in the treatment of MH. The study commenced in October 2003, for a duration of 2 years. Dogs are actively being recruited, who have been diagnosed with malignant histiocytosis.

Rhonda Hovan, author of "Perspectives" articles for The Golden Retriever News
Golden Retriever Club of America/Golden Retriever Foundation Supported Canine Health Research
Golden Retriever News;  Vol. LV111, No. 6;  November - December 2001

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OVC prof takes cancer research to new heights


OVC prof takes cancer research to new heights When Dr. Julius Liptak, a recently-appointed assistant professor in small  animal surgery in OVC's Department of Clinical Studies, made the move from Colorado to Guelph, the differences in  elevation between the two areas gave him some interesting food for thought. Now, with colleagues from Colorado State  University, he is embarking on the first study - in veterinary or human medicine - to investigate the links between rates of tumour growth and altitude. This study could lead to new insights about how cancer progresses in people and animals. Liptak explains that at higher altitudes, where there is less oxygen in the air, the body responds by forming more blood vessels in order to increase oxygen availability. Because of this, Liptak and his research partners wonder if tumour
growth may also be more aggressive at higher altitudes. This study, funded by OVC's Pet Trust Fund, will investigate the effects of altitude on tumour growth by comparing dogs afflicted with bone tumours in Ontario with those in the Colorado Rockies. The study will involve dogs that come to the OVC's Small Animal Clinic for treatment, as well dogs who receive treatment at the Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University. Both groups of dogs will be treated with the same chemotherapy drugs - the same medication used to treat cancer in humans.

The outcomes of treatment and the rate of spread of the disease will be compared. Liptak hopes that the study will benefit both dogs and humans, and he says this is often the case with cancer research. “Cancer's cancer,” he says. “The way it forms and spreads is the same in dogs and people.” In a unique new study that will benefit both humans an animals, Dr. Julius Liptak (at right with dog Eastwood) is investigating the effects of altitude on tumour growth.

Typically, he says, studying cancer in dogs and cats can shed light on human disease - in a fraction of the time it would take to study the same thing in humans. “The biological behaviour of certain cancers is the same in humans as it is in animals,” he says. “But, in dogs and cats, cancer spreads more quickly because oftheir shorter life span. This means that we can see a lot more quickly how successfu a treatment will be.” As well, Liptak says that veterinary medicine can gain from the expanse of knowledge and research about human cancer. In a second project funded by Pet Trust, he is investigating the effects of pre-operative chemotherapy - chemotherapy treatment before surgery to remove cancerous growths - in dogs with bone tumours. “In humans, there is a higher survival rate if chemotherapy is administered before surgery,” he says. “We'll see if this is a case where something that works for humans
can also work for animals.” One might think that working with dogs with cancer and their distressed
owners would be emotionally draining, but Liptak says it's just the opposite. “When owners come in, they know their dogs have cancer,” he says. “So every day you can give them after treatment is another day they might not otherwise have had.

It's very rewarding. The treatment of cancer is rarely a negative experience. Many patients will eventually succumb to the disease, but with the good quality of life provided by anticancer treatments, each day is precious.”

- Karen Gallant

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GOLDEN RETRIEVER CLUB OF AMERICA LYMPHOMA STUDY

The Vector Borne Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at the NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine is recruiting cases for a funded research project, which is investigating the potential role of selected flea- and tick-borne bacteria as co-factors in the development of lymphoma in Golden Retrievers. This two-year study is being funded exclusively by the Golden Retriever Foundation and the Canine Health Foundation. The 1998 Golden Retriever Health Survey showed a statistically significant decrease in lymphoma among Golden Retrievers that had been treated with flea and tick prevention products. This research project will examine one mechanism by which these data might be explained - that infection with Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and/or Anaplasma species bacteria may predispose susceptible dogs to develop lymphoma. The purpose of this study is to search for evidence of Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and/or Anaplasma infection in Golden Retriever dogs with lymphoma, as compared to age- and sex-matched Golden Retrievers from the same geographic region. Obtaining identical samples from healthy control dogs will be critical to the scientific evaluation of data obtained from Golden Retrievers with lymphoma. Dr. Ed Breitschwerdt is the principal investigator and Ashlee Duncan is the graduate student responsible for the project.

The entry criteria for a case include: Golden Retrievers with a new diagnosis of lymphoma that have not received any antibiotics within 14 days prior to sample collection (or 30 days for azithromycin). Samples should be collected prior to induction of chemotherapeutic agents.

The minimum entry criteria for a control include: Golden Retrievers residing within 100 miles of the case dog and lacking clinical evidence of lymphadenopathy, making the possibility of undetected lymphoma unlikely. Additionally, these control dogs must not have received any antibiotics within 14 days prior to sample collection (or 30 days for azithromycin). For each case, two to three control dogs will be utilized. If possible, these healthy dogs should be similar in age (± 18 months) and sex as the case dog. Healthy dogs may be identified by the owner of the case dog, selected by the case's attending veterinarian, or recruited through the Golden Retriever Club of America. Cases and controls recruited will receive free serological and molecular testing for Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma (a $360.00 value based on current serology/PCR testing costs in our laboratory). Samples to be collected for this research include whole blood, serum, lymph node aspirate(s), and buccal swab(s).

Please contact us at 919-513-8279 or awduncan@ncsu.edu for further information.
 

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