Organizations focused on canine cancer
AKC Canine Health Foundation (AKC CHF), Morris Animal Foundation, National Canine Cancer Foundation, Animal Cancer Foundation, Canine Cancer Alliance, and the BCCA Charitable Trust. Colorado State University states that 1 in 4 dogs, on average, will develop cancer in their lifetime. Some cancers are more common than others, some are more lethal; fortunately, there can be good quality of life or even cure after treatment. The multiple canine cancer research programs have devoted many millions of dollars toward improving diagnosis and treatment of some cancers. For example, AKC CKF alone has invested more than $4.8 million on hemangiosarcoma.
The Animal Cancer Foundation has The Canine Cancer Genome Project (CCGP) modeled after The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and sponsored by a generous inaugural gift from Blue Buffalo Foundation. The project will map the tumor genomes of the seven most common canine cancers and place the datasets in the public domain for use by all veterinary and human cancer researchers, enhancing the ability to compare cancer genomics in both pets and people to find cures for all.
Statistics support the idea that genetic characteristics can contribute to higher rates of cancer, although more research is needed to better understand which genetic factors are involved in increasing cancer risk. It is thought this increased risk may be caused by either a combination of genes or a single gene. Golden Retrievers, Boxers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, German Shepherds and Rottweilers are generally more likely to develop specific types of cancer than other breeds. In the Bernese Mountain Dogs mast cell cancer and histiocytic sarcoma are inherited, though the mechanism is not yet clear. Other specific examples include the high incidence of Osteosarcomas (bone cancers) in long-limbed breeds like Irish Wolfhounds, Great Danes, and Scottish Deerhounds support the theory of genetic factors. In their case, the shared genetic heritage that gives these dogs their graceful legs may also give them a shared predisposition to cancer.
BeaCon’s open health registry has 3390 dogs (January 2023); there are 326 diagnosed with cancer and it is the most frequent cause of death in 7-14 year old dogs. Unfortunately with the very low necropsy rate and possibility of metastatic disease (where the original site was unknown), the incidence of individual types of cancer is unknown. The number of cases for locations is below:
Hemangiosarcoma is a devastating disease because there are few symptoms of a problem until very near the end of life. Register to view a recorded webinar from AKC CHF about updates on hemangiosarcoma by Dr. Thamm. Ongoing hemangiosarcoma research at AKC CHF include: a cancer vaccine trial, mRNA as a diganostic tool, evaluation of older non-cancer drugs as therapeutic treatments, and study of prevalence of Bartonella spp. infection in dogs with cardiac and splenic hemangiosarcomas within and between geographic locations.
The future holds exciting possibilites for research that may provide for earlier diagnosis, understanding of factors related to development of cancer, and a variety of treatments in canine cancer.
