General Cancer Research
The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) funds innovative research aimed at discovering advanced diagnostic technologies and therapeutic targets for treating various types of canine cancers.
Why We Focus on
General Cancer
Cancer is a major health concern for dogs, with an estimated
1 in 4 dogs developing cancer in their lifetime. Conditions like mammary cancer, mast cell tumors, histiocytic sarcoma, and brain tumors continue to impact dogs. New strategies are needed to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
of these cancers.
Research Grants
General Cancer ● $157,883.50
03403: Characterization and Prognostic Evaluation of Infiltrative Immune Cells in Canine Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Breed(s): All Dogs, Boxer, German Shepherd Dog, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Researcher(s): Hunter John Piegols, DVM
General Cancer ● $239,030
03368: Liquid Biopsy for Early Relapse Detection and Improved Treatment of Canine Mast Cell Tumors
Breed(s): Beagle, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog, Chinese SharPei, Labrador Retriever, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Schnauzer, Vizsla, Weimaraner
Researcher(s): Paulo Vilar Saavedra, DVM, MS and Keita Kitagawa, PhD
General Cancer ● $376,941.60
03373: “Deciphering the STS-landscape” – combining spatially defined transcriptomics with clinical outcome data to improve diagnosis and therapy of canine soft-tissue sarcoma
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Enni Markkanen, Dr. med. vet., Dr. sc. nat.
General Cancer ● $239,030.00
03368: Advancing Canine Health: Liquid Biopsy for Early Relapse Detection and Improved Treatment of Mast Cell Tumors
Breed(s): Beagle, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog, Chinese SharPei, Labrador Retriever, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Schnauzer, Vizsla, Weimaraner
Researcher(s): Dr. Paulo Vilar Saavedra, DVM, MS
General Cancer ● $376,941.60
03373: “Deciphering the STS-landscape” – combining spatially defined transcriptomics with clinical outcome data to improve diagnosis and therapy of canine soft-tissue sarcoma
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Enni Markkanen, Dr. med. vet., Dr. sc. nat.
General Cancer ● $206,273
03283: Investigating the Immune and Cytoreductive Activities of Gilvetmab Alone and in Combination with Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Inhibition in Canine Urothelial Carcinoma
Breed(s): Beagle, Shetland Sheepdog, West Highland White Terrier
Researcher(s): Timothy M. Fan, DVM, PhD and Takamitsu A. Kato, PhD
General Cancer ● $89,316.00
03282: Artificial intelligence-based image analysis of lymph node mast cell burden in canine cutaneous mast cell disease
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Ryan N Jennings, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Sponsor(s): Portuguese Water Dog Foundation, Westie Foundation of America, Inc.
General Cancer ● $19,674.00
03305-A: TRAF3 as a Novel Prognostic Biomarker in Canine Tumor-Associated Macrophages
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Rachel V Brady, DVM, DACVIM
General Cancer ● $19,999.44
03307-A: Vanishing Y: Unraveling Loss of the Y chromosome in Canine Solid Cancers
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Hiroyuki Mochizuki, BVMS, PhD, DACVP
General Cancer ● $19,999
03261-A: Mechanisms of Immunotolerance in Canine Oral Melanoma: An Opportunity for Comparative Approaches
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Valentina Stevenson, DVM, PhD and Rowan J Milner, BVSc, MMedVet, PhD
Sponsor(s): Gordon Setter Club of America, Inc.
General Cancer ● $19,926
03186-A: Comparison of Genomic Mutation Status Between Primary Site and Metastatic Lymph Node in Canine Oral Malignant Melanoma
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Yoshimi Iwaki, DVM and Jeffrey N. Bryan, DVM, PhD
Sponsor(s): Golden Retriever Foundation, Rottweiler Health Foundation
General Cancer ● $97,956
03195: Early Genetic Markers of Histiocytic Sarcoma for Faster Diagnosis and More Effective Treatment
Breed(s): Bernese Mountain Dog, Flat-Coated Retriever, Rottweiler
Researcher(s): Benoit Hedan, DVM, PhD
Sponsor(s): Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
General Cancer ● $92,089
03228: Identification of Tumor-Specific Proteins for Targeted Therapy in Solid and Disseminated Histiocytic Sarcoma
Breed(s): Bernese Mountain Dog, Flat-Coated Retriever, Rottweiler
Researcher(s): Enni Markkanen, Dr. med. vet., Dr. sc. nat. and Mirja C Nolff, Dr. med. vet., DVM
General Cancer ● $82,232
03103: Identification of Genetic Mutations in AnalSac Carcinoma Development in English Cocker Spaniels, Part II – Validation
Breed(s): English Cocker Spaniel
Researcher(s): Shaying Zhao, PhD
Sponsor(s): English Cocker Spaniel Club of America
General Cancer ● $11,492
03100-A: The Use of Artificial Intelligence and Computed Tomography Image Features to Predict Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis in Dogs with Oral Tumours
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Christopher Pinard, DVM
Join Us in Advancing
Canine Health
With over $8.8 million invested in general cancer research, your support helps us develop life-saving treatments and improve the well-being of dogs battling cancer.
