Grant Amount: $12,960

Dr. Timothy D. O'Brien, DVM PhD, University of Minnesota

January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012

Sponsor(s): German Shepherd Dog Club of America, Norwegian Elkhound Association of America, Inc., Siberian Husky Club of America

Breed(s): German Shepherd Dog

Research Program Area: Oncology

Abstract

Osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, and glioblastoma multiforme are three types of incurable cancers that are responsible for reduced quality of life and significant mortality in dogs. The processes that control the clinical behavior of these tumors is not well understood, but recent research suggests that a specialized group of cells called "cancer stem cells" (or CSCs) might play important roles. CSCs are important in the development, growth and spread of various malignant tumors of humans, so it would not be surprising if they also contributed to canine cancers. However, the definitive existence of CSCs in canine cancers remains to be proven. Defining these cells and understanding their basic biology will be necessary to develop cures for cancer, so we developed a unique, widely applicable method to enrich for cells that behave like CSCs from canine tumors. This method allows us to make direct comparisons among CSCs from osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, and glioblastoma to find unique or shared targets for prevention and therapy. The objective for this ACORN project is to show that the presumed CSCs are indeed uniquely capable of forming tumors using the gold standard assay of "xenotransplantation at limiting dilution". This will confirm the utility of our method and provide critical support for further groundbreaking genetic analyses of CSCs that will help us reach the promise of targeted therapies to reduce incidence and improve outcomes for dogs with these deadly cancers.

Publication(s)

- Frantz AM (2013). Comparative and Molecular Approaches to Improve Identification, Classification, and Therapeutic Options in Cancer. Doctoral Dissertation Thesis, University of Minnesota - Kim JH, Anderson KL, Frantz AM, Graef AJ, Scott MC, Robinson