TGen and VARI study cancer in dogs to find new treatments for
humans
PHOENIX, Ariz. - April 15, 2010 - Fido's wet licks might hold more
than love. They could provide the DNA keys to findings new
treatments for rare cancers and other diseases in both dogs and
human patients.
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and the Van
Andel Research Institute (VARI) have created the Canine Hereditary
Cancer Consortium, a program designed to study naturally occurring
cancers in dogs to better understand why both pets and people get
sick.
"Rare diseases in humans also show up in dogs. By studying the DNA
of canines, we expect to more quickly discover the genomic causes
of disease and more quickly find ways to better treat dogs, and
people,'' said Dr. Mark Neff, director of the new TGen-VARI Program
for Canine Health and Performance.
Using voluntarily donated saliva, blood and tumor samples from many
breeds of privately owned dogs, researchers hope that by studying
canine cancers they can pinpoint the causes of human cancers. The
goal is to translate that knowledge into therapeutics useful to
both veterinarians and clinical oncologists.
No dogs will be harmed and many should be helped. Nearly half of
all dogs 10 years and older die from cancer. Dogs will be treated
as patients at veterinary clinics nationwide. The research is
endorsed by the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation and
by the Morris Animal Foundation. Samples will be gathered with the
consent of owners and veterinarians.
In addition to cancer, TGen and VARI eventually will study
neurological and behavioral disorders as well as hearing loss and
other debilitative conditions in dogs that could relate to
people.
The cancer research will be supported by the recent approval of a
2-year, $4.3 million federal stimulus grant to the Canine
Hereditary Cancer Consortium, which includes TGen and VARI in
partnership with the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the
University of Pennsylvania, Michigan State University, dog breeders
and veterinarians.
The public-private program also is funded by $1 million in grants
from businesses involved in pet care - $500,000 from PetSmart, and
$500,000 from Hill's Pet Nutrition.
"We're proud to be part of such an innovative approach that fully
supports our mission of providing total lifetime care for pets, and
one that will offer hope to people and dogs who are suffering from
these illnesses," said Phil Francis, Executive Chairman of
PetSmart.
Neil Thompson, President and CEO of Hill's Pet Nutrition, said
support of cancer research in dogs "goes hand-in-hand with the
company's mission of enriching and lengthening the special
relationships between people and their pets. Maintaining the health
of dogs goes beyond good nutrition. We support this research and
the hope it provides, which will ultimately benefit dogs and dog
lovers everywhere."
Through the federal grant, researchers also will draw on experts at
the National Cancer Institute's Pediatric and Genetics Branches and
Comparative Oncology program, including Dr. Paul Meltzer, Chief of
NCI's Genetics Branch. Dr. Meltzer and his colleagues will use gene
expression profiling to identify genes involved in osteosarcoma to
determine if the same genetic markers, alterations, and targets
found are also found in human osteosarcoma, and in dogs. Comparing
data between humans and dogs has the potential to significantly
advance understanding of this cancer.
Dr. Meltzer indicated he is hopeful the study will pinpoint the
genetic causes of osteosarcoma, as well as identify individualized
treatment options.
The program's "bark-to-bedside" approach represents an
unprecedented alliance of veterinarians, basic scientists and
private practice clinicians, non-profit research institutes,
universities, industry and government. The project also will
involve TGen Drug Development Services (TD2), a subsidiary of TGen,
which will seek partnerships with pharmaceutical companies.
Why study dogs?
Dr. Jeffrey Trent, President and Research Director for TGen and
VARI, said that it is difficult to study rare cancers in people,
because there is insufficient data. But by studying similar types
of cancers more prevalent in dogs, researchers should be better
able to help those who currently have little hope.
"There's no question that you are doubly-cursed if you get a rare
cancer. You may have a very difficult disease course, and you have
very little information about how to guide the physician, and what
treatment would be best. For some of these rare cancers, we don't
even have consensus on what the best treatments might be,'' Dr.
Trent said.
For example, children with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer, still
often results in the loss of limbs.
"Many rare human cancers are very common in dogs. We're excited
about the idea that we may be able to identify areas that could be
mutually beneficial - that could help the canine patient and can
help the human patient with these various cancers," Dr. Trent said.
"The unique and exciting aspect of this is that it's a rare
occasion where industry, academia, government and the private
sector are joined together in a common goal of obtaining
information to advance both pet and human health."
Study will investigate many diseases
The study is focused on sarcomas, those cancers that originate in
the connective tissues such as bone, cartilage and fat.
"The sad reality of sarcoma, because it is such a rare human
disease, is that very few scientists take the time to do any
research on it because it is not possible to get the number of
samples you need for those kinds of studies," said Dr. Nick
Duesbery, co-director of VARI's Center for Comparative Biology and
Genetics.
The project began with the study of hemangiosarcoma - angiosarcoma
in humans - a cancer for which there are currently no effective
treatments. These tumors start in the lining of blood vessels and
in the spleen. They are highly malignant and can be found most
anywhere in the body.
Dr. Valana Wells, program chair of Arizona State University's
Aerospace Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, with some of her
clumber spaniels whose DNA might be used in the TGen-VARI canine
cancer research project.
Photo credit: Sara Jarvie
Although rare in humans, these tumors are relatively common in
certain breeds of dogs, such as Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds
and Clumber Spaniels. After as many as 150 years of breeding, there
are few genetic variations in these dogs, making it easier to
identify the few genetic differences that can affect cancer
susceptibility and response to drugs.
Study initiated by VARI
With the support of the American Kennel Club Canine Health
Foundation and the Clumber Spaniel Health Foundation, VARI in
February 2008 began to study hemangiosarcoma in Clumber Spaniels.
Researchers are using new genetic technologies developed at VARI to
create genetic screens, diagnostic tests and treatments for
hereditary canine cancers. VARI is analyzing the DNA and RNA of
Clumber Spaniels, looking for genetic patterns that eventually
could indicate if a particular dog is a carrier of a defective gene
that could cause cancer.
With the addition of TGen and federal and private funding, the
program is expanding to study four other cancers among as many as
20 breeds of dogs.
In the first two years, the project also will study osteosarcoma,
oral melanoma, malignant histiocytosis, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Information from these studies will be used to develop diagnostic
DNA tests for larger groups of dogs, enabling researchers to look
for genes that influence cancer.
"We've got an incredible advantage here with the dogs, because
these diseases are much more common in dogs than they are in
humans. We can get some insight into the biology. Our strongest
hope and desire is that we can translate that into therapies we can
use for people,'' Dr. Duesbery said.
Study compared to the Human Genome Project
Dr. Trent drew a parallel between the Human Genome Project and the
new study of dogs, predicting that new and useful information will
soon become available to aid human health.
"The Human Genome Project provided a new playbook for biomedical
research and patient care,'' Dr. Trent said. "As we begin to
catalog the dog genome, we have the opportunity to really
understand a number of the problems that afflict the dog, but also
a number of possible health solutions for people."
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About Van Andel Research Institute
Established by Jay and Betty Van Andel in 1996, Van Andel Institute
(VAI) is an independent research and educational organization based
in Grand Rapids, Michigan, dedicated to preserving, enhancing and
expanding the frontiers of medical science, and to achieving
excellence in education by probing fundamental issues of education
and the learning process. VARI, the research arm of VAI, is
dedicated to probing the genetic, cellular and molecular origins of
cancer, Parkinson and other diseases and working to translate those
findings into effective therapies. This is accomplished through the
work of over 200 researchers in 18 on-site laboratories and in
collaborative partnerships that span the globe. For additional
media resources and more information, visit: www.vai.org.
Press Contact:
Joe Gavan
Vice President, Communications
Van Andel Institute
616-234-5390
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About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. Research at
TGen is focused on helping patients with diseases such as cancer,
neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of
translational research where investigators are able to unravel the
genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with
collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen
believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency
and effectiveness of the translational process. TGen is affiliated
with the Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
For more information, visit: www.tgen.org.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
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