Cancer is a diagnosis all too familiar to Golden Retriever lovers. The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) and the Golden Retriever Foundation (GRF) recently announced the joint funding of nearly $1.5 million for research to better understand and combat canine cancer.
The Foundations have worked together to select two canine cancer research projects that will potentially make real progress in the fight against canine cancer. The research results are expected to significantly improve the understanding and diagnosis of canine cancer so that dogs live longer, healthier lives.
While the research grants will primarily focus on Golden Retrievers, both projects emphasize a better understanding of how cancer begins and spreads, benefiting all breeds of dogs and potential human medicine as well.
The research will be conducted through a collaborative team effort of top scientists with a portion of the funded research produced in cooperation with the animal health industry. The hope is to drive diagnostic tests and new therapeutic products to market faster and more efficiently.
The two funded teams will commence their work later in 2013 with anticipated completion dates in 2016. Dr. Jaime Modiano of the University of Minnesota, Dr. Matthew Breen of North Carolina State University and Dr. Kerstin Lindblad-Toh of The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard will focus their efforts on the establishment of genetic risk alleles, defining the gene expression profile and the role of cellular activation in lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma. Dr. Jeffrey Bryan of the University of Missouri, Dr. Anne Avery of Colorado State University and Dr. Heather Wilson-Robles of Texas A&M University will focus on discovery of novel protein, blood and epigenetic biomarkers to enhance diagnosis and treatment of cancer in dogs. To read summaries of the grants, visit: http://www.akcchf.org/research/funded-research/collaborative-cancer-awards.html
Dog lovers interested in supporting the research can contribute. To learn more, you’ll find more information and links here.
6 Responses to Combating Canine Cancer
This will be such a blessing for the many of us who have lost our dogs to this awful disease. It’s as painful to watch your dog suffer from cancer as a human. We lost our sweet Chloe one year ago at the age of 12 to osteosarcoma. She lost her battle 8 months after her diagnosis and 6 months after her front leg amputation. We still cry daily over this beautiful and brave family member. As much as I had always wanted a golden, I don’t think I could deal with the pain of possibly losing another one in this same way. We had no idea how rampant it was in these amazing dogs.
We’re so sorry for your loss, Denise. Sadly, osteosarcoma is not unique to goldens, but is more prevalent in large breeds. Part of loving dogs is understanding that we don’t get to love them forever. At least not in the physical form. But they are with us always. Best to you and your family.
We also lost our much loved golden, Carmen, to cancer. As you might expect, our reaction to the loss of a family member, was absolute grief. And, yet, the joy that she brought to us (and vice-versa we think) was beyond words (She was my first dog!).
I read that 60% of goldens die as a result of cancer. Any progress toward the goal of improving health among dogs (& people for that matter) in our carcinogen-filled world is a needed step forward!
This is great news to hear, I just lost my “Annie” two weeks ago to cancer, she was only 8 years old and my heart is just broken. I was shocked to find out how many Golden’s die from cancer. With Annie it was such a shock, we didn’t know she had it until I was told she had hours left to live. I am definately behind them doing more research on this!
Kerry, we are so sorry for your loss. A better understanding of prevention, better testing, early diagnosis and cure can not come soon enough for our beloved pups.
Cancer in dogs is at all time high. The Golden Retriever Foundation (http://www.goldenretrieverfoundation.org/) has been funding cancer studies for years. For more info, check out the website and go to Research.
So many of us know the pain of the loss, with continued support and research I pray we can make a difference.
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