Morris Animal Foundation launches funded canine mammary cancer study

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Morris Animal Foundation is funding a new study at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, to create improved diagnostic tools for identifying canine mammary cancer.

According to an organizational release,¹ mammary cancer is a common tumor diagnosis in intact female dogs, and there is no existing method for screening high-risk dogs for early mammary lesions. As a result, 50% of mammary tumors are malignant when detected.² Early detection, prior to the development of invasive and widespread disease, could significantly improve prognosis.

“Mammary cancer continues to be a significant issue for dogs, but as with other cancers, earlier detection opens possibilities for significantly better treatment outcomes,” expressed Janet Patterson-Kane, BVSc, PhD, FRCVS, Morris Animal Foundation chief scientific officer, in the release.

Spearheaded by Melissa Meachem, DVM, MVetSc, DACVP, University of Saskatchewan researchers will examine the role of 3 cell markers in the progression of canine mammary cancer, from benign early lesions to aggressive cancer.¹ In completed human studies, increased expression of these cell markers in women was connected to mammary cancer. If successful, researchers will investigate using these markers to enhance early diagnostics of canine mammary tumors.

According to the release,¹ Blue Buffalo and Pet Valu, located in Canada, are funding partners on the project.

“We are very grateful for the generous funding support from Blue Buffalo and Pet Valu that is making this study possible,” added Patterson-Kane. “Success of this initial work may lead to the development of useful diagnostic tools.”

References

1. Morris Animal Foundation announces newly funded canine mammary cancer study. News release. Morris Animal Foundation. July 14, 2022. Accessed July 15, 2022. https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/article/canine-mammary-cancer-study
2. Mammary tumors. American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Accessed July 15, 2022. https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/mammary-tumors