RESEARCH
PROJECTS
UROTHELIAL CANCER (TCC)
Urinary Chemical Exposures (Aromatic Amines) & Bladder Cancer In Pet Dogs
Principle Investigator:
Lauren Trepanier DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVCP
Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine
Dates:
September 2, 2024 – September 1, 2025
Description:
Urothelial carcinoma (bladder cancer) is a devastating disease in dogs, and is modulated by environmental exposures, even among high-risk breeds like the Scottish terrier. Canine bladder cancer tracks to areas of higher air pollution, but we do not know which chemicals are most important. Air pollution contains aromatic amines, which are chemicals known to cause bladder cancer in human factory workers. The purpose of this study is to see whether exposures to aromatic amines are associated with bladder cancer in dogs, and to assess the DNA-damaging properties of these chemicals in canine urinary cells. The overall goal is to guide better evidence-based cancer prevention measures for pet dogs.
Publication:
Veterinary and Comparative Oncology, 2025; 0:1–9 https://doi.org/10.1111/vco.70012
UROTHELIAL CANCER (TCC)
A novel interceptive and therapeutic target for canine urothelial carcinoma
Principle Investigator:
Dr. Anait Levenson, Professor of Cancer Research and Pharmacology in the Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences,the College of Veterinary Medicine, Long Island University (LIU), Brookville, New York
Dates:
July 10, 2025 – July 09, 2027
Description:
Dr. Leveson’s study will focus on the anti-cancer effects of a natural polyphenol called Gnetin C in conjunction with the established chemotherapeutic agent mitoxantrone (MTX) and a Cox-2 inhibitor in vitro and in vivo. [Polyphenols exist in many foods such as fruits, dark chocolate, and red wine and are known for their beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, as well as blocking the growth and development of various cancer cells.
Materials:
Dr. Levenson will be using mice, cancer biopsy samples, and cultured cell lines. It is also possible that she will ask the HTF to coordinate submission of blood and urine samples from Scotties diagnosed with UC at some point.
Publication:
TBD
UROTHELIAL CANCER (TCC)
Identification of genetic variants driving higher bladder cancer risk in Scottish Terriers
Principle Investigator:
Deborah W. Knapp DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
Dates:
October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2027
Description:
This project will involve the sequencing of germline DNA in blood and DNA and RNA sequencing from tumor tissues from dogs with urothelial carcinoma. Sequencing will also be performed from a control population of dogs that did not develop urothelial carcinoma. The data generated will be analyzed with the goal to identify inherited genetic variants (mutations) that lead to a high bladder risk in Scottish Terriers.
Materials:
Dr. Knapp will be using samples and sequencing data from her extensive previous research on bladder cancer in Scottish Terriers as well as samples and data from work including other breeds.
Publication:
TBD
Hemangiosarcoma (HSA)
AKCCHF Grant #3187: Investigating volatile organic compounds as potential markers of canine hemangiosarcoma by trained biodetection dogs
Principle Investigator:
Cynthia M. Otto, DVM, PhD, University of Pennsylvania
Dates:
February 01, 2024 – January 31, 2026
Description:
The goal of this research is to determine if HSA emits a distinctive odor that can be detected by bio-detection dogs. According to Dr. Otto, it has already been established that these trained dogs can function as unique biosensors to detect change in odor associated with specific human health conditions including cancer, and that they can communicate which samples are indicative of specific health conditions. First of all, Dr. Otto will determine if HSA provides a distinctive detectable odor, and if that is the case, she will then pursue practical applications such as a minimally invasive diagnostic screening test for dogs.
Materials:
N/A
Publication:
TBD
Hemangiosarcoma (HSA)
AKCCHF Grant #2946: Towards curative outcomes in canine hemangiosarcoma
Principle Investigator:
Chand Khanna, DVM, PhD, the Ethos Discovery
Dates:
November 01, 2021 – October 31, 2026
Description:
This research will be asking three questions: 1) Are there molecular biomarkers that predict prognosis in dogs with HSA? 2) Can we define genomic subgroups of dogs with HSA that are likely to benefit from specific anticancer drugs? 3) Can we define new therapeutic approaches to prevent the spread of this cancer? Using the successful approach taken with childhood leukemia, Dr. Khanna and his multidisciplinary, international team will lay the foundation for accelerating drug development and improving patient outcomes.
Materials:
N/A
Publication:
TBD
Scottie Cramp
DNA sequence variant responsible for Scottie Cramp disease in Scottish Terriers
Principle Investigator:
Martin Katz, PhD, Canine Genetics Laboratory, University of Missouri, Columbia MO
Dates:
August 13, 2024- September 01, 2026
Description:
The goal is to identify the genetic basis for the Scottie Cramp disorder and to develop a test for breeders to utilize on their stock. The process is to compare the sequences of affected and unaffected Scottish Terriers, compare this data with a cohort of 350 unaffected dogs of other breeds and to identify the single variant present in homozygous individuals affected with Scottie Cramp..
Materials: DNA samples from the HTF DNA bank and blood samples from Scottie owners have been submitted for DNA whole genome sequencing. Data from the canine genome assembly Dog10K is being used for reference.
Materials:
N/A
Publication:
TBD
Cerebellar Abiotrophy (CA)
Characterization of a large gene duplication as the causative mutation for Cerebellar Abiotrophy in Scottish Terriers
Principle Investigator:
Natasha Olby Vet MB, PhD, DACVIM, NC State CVM, Raleigh, NC. 27607
Dates:
May-September 2025
Description:
Building on their previous study, Dr Olby’s laboratory has identified a large duplicated region within a gene known to result in similar phenotypes in humans and mice when mutated as potentially being causative of CA in Scottish Terriers. One of the final pieces of data needed is to determine the frequency of the mutation in Scottish Terriers and develop an accurate test for the mutation.
Materials:
DNA samples from the HTF DNA bank have been submitted for PCR and digital PCR screening
Publication:
TBD
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