Dog slobber next breakthrough in cancer treatment
POSTED April 16, 2010 - 15:45 | POSTED BY Kangna Agarwal
Last edited by Harpreet Bhagrath on April 16, 2010 - 16:01
Researchers at the Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) and the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) will be evaluating donated saliva, blood, and tumor samples from varied breeds of privately owned dogs.
They have assured that none of the dogs will be harmed in the evaluation process.
Dog’s slobber to explain causes of human cancers
The researchers hope that by studying dog’s saliva, blood and tumor samples, they could come across real genomic causes of various types of cancers in humans.
They also look forward to finding quicker and efficient cancer treatments for both humans and dogs.
"Rare diseases in humans also show up in dogs. By studying the DNA of canines, we expect to more quickly discover the genomic causes of disease and more quickly find ways to better treat dogs, and people," said Dr. Mark Neff, director of the new TGen-VARI Program for Canine Health and Performance.
“We’re proud to be part of such an innovative approach that fully supports our mission of providing total lifetime care for pets, and one that will offer hope to people and dogs who are suffering from these illnesses,” remarked Phil Francis, Executive chairman, PetSmart.
Behavioral disorders will be studied
The project, formally called the Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium, will also study neurological and behavioral disorders as well as hearing loss and other compromising conditions in dogs that could relate to people and attempt to seek treatments for the same.
The project has been approved by the American Kennel Club and the Morris Animal Foundation, U.S., which supports animal health research and funded by the federal grant as well as private donation.
