Only dogs or cats with spontaneous disease will be used in the research projects. Under no circumstances will cancer be induced. The fact that these pets are representative of immunocompetent hosts, is an advantage to veterinary oncologists whose research projects need to be conducted in immunocompetent hosts. Morris Animal Foundation's 2000 Study list includes the following all Foundation-funded animal health studies in cancer research.
Scientific evidence supports that genetic mutations are an underlying cause of cancer.
The proposed study will examine chromosomal mutations associated with canine cancers. The anticipated advantages include significantly enhanced tumor-cell killing coincident with greatly reduced toxicity in normal tissues, thereby resulting in improved outcomes. Despite many advances in veterinary care, cancer remains one of the most common causes of death in dogs and cats. The investigators plan to develop a test using canine cancer cells to detect an enzyme that has been specifically associated with malignancy. This test could provide a non-invasive tool for the early detection of cancer and aid in the study of chemotherapy drugs designed to block this enzyme.