Grant Amount: $10,335

Dr. Linda K. Lord, DVM PhD, Ohio State University

October 1, 2007 - September 30, 2008

Breed(s): -All Dogs

Disease(s): Transitional Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Clinical trials in rats and humans conducted at The Ohio State University have demonstrated that breakdown products of freeze-dried raspberries have anticancer properties. The anticancer effects are strongest when the active products are in local contact with the target tissue. Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the most common bladder cancer of dogs, with survival times rarely exceeding 8-10 months. Furthermore, certain breeds of dogs such as the Scottish Terrier, Shetland Sheepdog and Beagle have a markedly increased risk of developing TCC. Our overall hypothesis is that raspberry extracts will have an anticancer effect on bladder cancer in dogs due to high levels of local exposure of the raspberry products to the lining of the bladder. Our specific hypothesis for this ACORN propodsal is that raspberry extracts fed to healthy dogs will be well tolerated and that the raspberry breakdown products will be concentrated in the urine. We will conduct a 7-day feeding trial with healthy dogs to assess how easily dogs will eat the raspberry concentrate and to measure concentrations of the raspberry breakdown products in the urine and blood. This pilot study is a prelude to larger clinical trials evaluating the ability of raspberries to reat existing bladder cancer as well as to prevent the development of bladder cancer in dogs.