AKC Canine Health Foundation Marks Pet Cancer Awareness Month with Research Outcomes and Educational Outreach

The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to prevent, treat and cure diseases in all dogs, marks Pet Cancer Awareness Month by providing information on research outcomes and educational resources on canine cancer to dog lovers during the month of May.

Since 1995 CHF has funded over 200 canine cancer research grants, totaling more than $12 million.  Outcomes from this body of work include breakthroughs in treatment options and diagnoses, which provide veterinarians with improved approaches to canine cancer. Currently, CHF is funding 27 active canine cancer grants totaling more than $3.3 million.

Highlights from CHF-funded research in the field of canine cancer:

• Awarded the first research grant through the Comparative Brain Tumor Consortium (CBTC). The CBTC was launched at the National Institutes of Health by a group of clinicians and investigators in the fields of veterinary and human neuro-oncology, clinical trials, and neuropathology. Through this grant, Dr. Timothy M. Fan of the University of Illinois and colleagues, will investigate a combination of novel advanced imaging techniques in conjunction with new therapies for dogs with meningioma, a common type of brain cancer.

• An ongoing collaborative research study funded by CHF has led to a recent report showing promising results for a new treatment for dogs with hemangiosarcoma, with potential implications for human sarcoma treatment as well. 

• Investigators characterized new canine cell lines through extensive genomic analyses to more accurately classify, study and identify treatments for canine leukemia and lymphoma.

  As part of the educational outreach during Pet Cancer Awareness Month, CHF and its partner VetVine will be hosting a free live webinar – Update on Canine Hemangiosarcoma with Douglas H. Thamm, VMD, DACVIM (Oncology), at 8:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, May 10. During this one hour webinar Dr. Thamm will discuss the clinical presentation, staging, therapy and prognosis of hemangiosarcoma, recent findings about the biology of the disease, and early diagnosis and treatment strategies. Pre-registration is required.

“Cancer is a health concern for many dog owners, and during Pet Cancer Awareness Month CHF is pleased to provide important information about cutting-edge research studies, improved treatment options and educational opportunities to better understand canine cancer,” said Dr. Diane Brown CHF CEO.

Dog owners and dog lovers can directly impact the future of canine cancer research by making a donation to CHF. New or lapsed donors who have not given to CHF since December 31, 2014 will have their contributions matched dollar for dollar in 2017 by the American Kennel Club (up to $500,000).

Visit www.akcchf.org/caninecancer to access free resources and to learn more about canine cancer.