Recipient Organization
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
ITHACA,NY 14853
Performing Department
CLINICAL SCIENCE
Non Technical Summary
Spontaneously arising cancer is extremely common in companion animals and is a result of similar genetic and environmental insults as observed in humans. The similarities in biology, clinical progression and treatment response make pets with cancer useful for investigation of cancer management strategies for all species. A comparative approach to cancer control will speed successful management of this disease and is the goal of this research.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
100%
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The primary objectives of research in clinical oncology is to improve animal health by better managing cancer in animals and to create new information relevant to cancer control in all species, including humans. In order to accomplish these goals, basic molecular and cellular discoveries are evaluated to provide rationale for in vivo evaluation. Rodent models of cancer are essential to successful cancer control but have significant limitations. Large animal models, particularly spontaneous cancers in pets complement and extend studies accomplished in more laboratory animals. The goal of our research program is to move successful novel strategies through a series of in vitro and in vivo evaluations toward clinical trials in animals and ultimately to humans. In addition, environmental causes of cancer in domestic and wild species of animals is also of interest.
Project Methods
Research in clinical oncology is conducted predominantly through conventional clinical trials in dogs and cats with spontaneously arising tumors. Although we use in vitro systems as well as conventional in vivo systems, characterization of spontaneous animal tumors in companion animals is the primary model of interest. We have characterized the immunologic, molecular and clinical aspects of several common tumor-types in companion animals for investigation of novel treatment strategies as a prelude to human clinical trials and in order to improve management of cancer in all species. Use of these models of cancer will become increasingly valuable to multidisciplinary teams of basic and clinical scientists as similarities in the genetic, environmental and biological manifestations of cancer to humans are further elucidated.