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BONE CANCER RESEARCH NEEDS DANES:
Researchers at the University of Michigan and the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology are jointly
working on a research project to investigate possible
genetic risk factors for bone cancer (osteosarcoma) in
dogs. They hope also that their research will result in
improved treatment for this terrible disease. Danes,
like many giant dogs, are at increased risk for bone
cancer, so this study may result in information that can
directly improve the health of our breed.
Needed are not only Danes that have been diagnosed with
bone cancer, but also any Veteran Dane (6 years or
older) who has *never* been diagnosed with cancer of any
kind. To participate in the study, a blood sample is
required; all materials will be provided by the research
team (contact point below). The research team emphasized
it is also absolutely necessary that all participants
must also provide a three-generation pedigree (with
birthdates noted for the dogs offering blood samples).
All such information will be kept as privileged
information for use only in the study and will not be
made available to any outside parties. For the
osteosarcoma-affected dogs, a report from the
veterinarian documenting the method of diagnosis is also
required. (Without this information, a dog cannot be
used in the study.) For more information and/or to
request kits/send samples, contact:
Sarah M. Fryc
Research Technician
Canine Disease Gene Mapping
The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
7 Cambridge Center
Cambridge, MA 02142
www.dogdna.org.
Please email Sarah for more information & to let her
know you are sending samples:
PHONE: 617-252-1093.
Fax: 617.324.2722
Whole blood with EDTA: two 3-5 ml samples requested.
MORE INFORMATION ON THIS RESEARCH BELOW:
The world
of dog geneticists, oncologists, veterinarians and dog
owners is about to change! The Canine Genome Sequencing
Project, based here in Boston at the Broad Institute at
Harvard and MIT, finished sequencing the dog genome this
summer. Now, we are using this important new resource to
find genes for osteosarcoma, and we hope to look at
other canine diseases, including cancer, diabetes and
epilepsy, in the near future.Please help us by sending
us a DNA sample from your purebred dog. We prefer blood
samples, which give us more DNA and much higher quality
DNA, but would appreciate a cheek swab if a blood sample
is not possible. Please see our flyer for more details
on our research. For each dog we also need a signed
consent form and an AKC number or other pedigree
information.
http://www.broad.mit.edu/mammals/dog/vet_samples.html
We are collecting DNA from all dog breeds so we can
search for genes for many different dog diseases. Our
current study is on osteosarcoma, but we are starting
studies on melanoma, hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, mammary
cancer and other cancers. Of particular importance for
the bone cancer study are samples from: Rottweilers,
Greyhounds, Leonbergers,, Great Danes, Saint Bernards,
Mastiffs,,Bullmastiffs,,Labrador Retrievers,Rhodesian
Ridgebacks, Golden Retrievers, Newfoundlands, Scottish
Deerhounds.
http://www.broad.mit.edu/mammals/dog/pdfs/dog_project_info.pdf
The Institute's research information flyer states:
http://www.broad.mit.edu/mammals/dog/pdfs/dog_project_info.pdf
If you have any healthy dog (especially a dog 8 years or
older), we would really appreciate a blood sample and
the registration number or pedigree information. If your
dog has osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, melanoma,
lymphoma, mammary cancer, or any other cancer, please
ask your veterinarian to draw a blood sample and send it
to us together with the clinical information including a
copy of the pathology and histology reports.
Below is a letter from Dr. Kenine Comstock about the
disease and their
current research project:
"Eight thousand to 10,000 cases of a malignant bone
tumor called osteosarcoma are reported in dogs in the
United States annually, representing a very significant
health concern. Sadly, in the majority of cases, spread
of the tumor through the body and death follows within a
few years. Osteosarcomas affect all dogs, but the
disease frequency is considerably higher in large and
giant breeds, including the Great Dane. It has been
suggested that genetics may play an important role in
this disease. Our group of scientists from the
University of Michigan and Massachusetts Institute of
Technology have initiated a project to identify the
genetic risk factors for osteosarcoma. We expect that
this study should lead to considerable improvements in
treatment of osteosarcoma. In addition, our findings
will allow the development of genetic tests for
osteosarcoma that could be used to eliminate carriers
from breeding populations, eventually reducing the
frequency of this devastating cancer."
"We are collecting blood samples from Great Danes
affected with osteosarcoma. In addition, we are
collecting blood samples from healthy Great Danes who
are over 6 years old and have never been diagnosed with
cancer. To participate in the study, Great Dane owners
can simply request a collection kit from us, take their
dog to their own veterinarian to have the blood samples
drawn, then send the sample back to us along with a copy
of the dog's pedigree. We would greatly appreciate your
help with this study.....I do need to stress some very
important points: We absolutely need the dogs'
three-generation pedigrees, birthdates and, for
osteosarcoma-affected dogs, a report from the
veterinarian documenting the method of diagnosis.
Without this information, a dog cannot be used."
Best regards,
Kenine Comstock, Ph.D
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor MI
keninec@med.umich.edu
Kerstin Lindblad-Toh, Ph.D
Broad Institute
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA
kersli@broad.mit.edu
Best Regards, JP Yousha
Chair, H&W, GDCA
danehealth@gdca.org
432.684.8940
Permission
to reprint as submitted for educational purposes is
given.
Updated by JP Yousha, H&R Committee, GDCA 2008
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