-
- Posted Monday March 17, 2014
TGen-led study spotlights dog DNA role in developing new therapies for human cancers
Study shows timeframe for canine sample analysis fits clinical window for human medical advancements
PHOENIX, Ariz. - March 17, 2014 - Using genomic
analysis to study cancer in dogs can help develop new therapies for
humans with cancer, according to a proof-of-concept study led by
the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Translational
Genomics Research Institute (TGen).
Pure-breed dogs, whose genetics have been standardized by hundreds
of years of human intervention, provide highly predictable genetic
models useful in designing clinical trials, in which specific drugs
are matched to the molecular profiles of human patients, according
to the study published today in the scientific journal PLOS
ONE.
"Our canine companions are not only 'Man's Best Friend,' but our
study shows that dogs also can help human patients pursue battles
against various types of cancer," said Dr. Jeffrey Trent, TGen
President and Research Director and the study's senior author. "Not
only do dogs with cancer benefit from this research, but people do,
as well."
While there are, relatively, many genetic differences among humans
with the same type of cancer, there are far fewer genetic
differences among dogs of the same breed, making it vastly easier
to identify and study the genes driving canine cancers.
The process of integrating naturally occurring cancers in dogs
into the general studies of human cancer biology and therapy is
known as comparative oncology. The identification of
specific drugs to treat individuals based on their specific genetic
or molecular make-up is often referred to as personalized
medicine, or PMed.
Genetic samples from 31 dogs were analyzed in the proof-of-concept
study organized under NCI's Comparative Oncology Trials Consortium
(COTC). Genetic samples were derived for this study from tumor
biopsy samples. No dogs were harmed in any way in this clinical
study.
"Complex models are needed to effectively evaluate PMed study
designs, and this proof-of-concept trial validates the dog with
cancer as a model for clinical evaluation of novel PMed
approaches," said Dr. Melissa Paoloni, the study's lead author and
former director of the COTC. "Comparative oncology models have the
potential to expedite this evaluation and lead advancements in
personalized medicine."
The COTC study was organized according to the propensity of
different breeds to develop particular types of cancer. The study
included Scottish terriers with bladder transitional cell
carcinoma, golden retrievers with lymphoma, American cocker
spaniels with melanoma, and a fourth group of dogs open to all
cancer types.
The study's 31 samples of dog tumors was compared to 40 normal
canine tissues samples as a way of estimating the variance in gene
expression. The target turnaround time for this analysis was 7
days, but the study averaged this process in less than 5
days.
"Overall the turnaround for sample analyses fit a relevant
clinical window for future comparative oncology trials to model
human PMed advancements," said Dr. William Hendricks, a TGen Staff
Scientist and another author of the study. "Future comparative
oncology studies, optimizing the delivery of PMed strategies, may
aid cancer drug development."
"Data from this study serves as rationale to now include dogs with
spontaneous cancers in the advancement and optimization of PMed for
human patients," according to the study, Prospective molecular
profiling of canine cancers provides a clinically relevant
comparative model for evaluating personalized medicine (PMed)
trials.
The study can be located at: http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0090028.
Also contributing to this study were: Van Andel Research
Institute; and the veterinary medicine colleges of Colorado State
University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of
Minnesota, Purdue University, and Michigan State University.
This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under a grant titled: Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium. Research reported in this press release was supported by the National Cancer Institute under award number UC2CA148149. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Cancer Institute or the National Institutes of Health.
# # #
About TGen
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. TGen is focused
on helping patients with cancer, neurological disorders and
diabetes, through cutting edge translational research (the process
of rapidly moving research towards patient benefit). TGen
physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of
both common and rare complex diseases in adults and children.
Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical
communities literally worldwide, TGen makes a substantial
contribution to help our patients through efficiency and
effectiveness of the translational process. For more information,
visit:www.tgen.org.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]