Dogs' Licks Could Help Find New Treatments for Rare Cancers

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Dogs' Licks Could Help Find New Treatments for Rare Cancers

By _ son-_

(http://www.aolhealth.com/bloggers/catherine-donaldson-evans) Apr 16th 2010

2:35PM

A dog's wet kisses could hold the key to discovering new treatments for

rare forms of _cancer_ (http://www.aolhealth.com/condition-center/cancer)

and other diseases in human beings.

A program called the Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium has been

established to study naturally occurring _cancers_

(http://www.aolhealth.com/condition-center/cancer) in dogs in order to shed

light on why they develop in

pets and people.

Researchers will analyze the _DNA_

(http://www.aolhealth.com/conditions/dna) found in dogs' saliva to get at the

root of the diseases.

The project was created by The Translational Genomics Research Institute

(TGen) and the Van Andel Research Institute (VARI).

" Rare diseases in humans also show up in dogs, " said program director Mark

Neff, M.D., in a statement. " 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. "

About half of all dogs aged 10 and older die from _cancer_

(http://www.aolhealth.com/condition-center/cancer) .

The owners of different breeds of dogs will donate samples of their pets'

saliva, blood and tumors that will then be studied by researchers.

Their hope is that they will be able to zero in on the causes of human

_cancers_ (http://www.aolhealth.com/condition-center/cancer) by examining

canine cancers and use that information to improve treatments administered by

both vets and oncologists.

The dogs that participate will not be harmed. The project will also look

at _neurological_

(http://www.aolhealth.com/learn-about-it/improving-memory-understanding-age-rela\

ted-memory-loss/causes-of-memory-impairment/neurological

-disorders) and _behavioral disorders_

(http://www.aolhealth.com/conditions/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-and-panic-diso\

rder) , _hearing loss_

(http://www.aolhealth.com/health-concern/hearing-loss) and other conditions

found

in both dogs and people.

Trent, M.D., the president and research director for TGen and

VARI, said studying rare cancers in people is challenging because of the lack

of solid data about the diseases. Looking at similar illnesses in canines

will help.

" Many rare human cancers are very common in dogs, " he said in a statement.

" We're excited about the idea that we may be able to identify areas that

could be mutually beneficial -- that could help the canine patient and can

help the human patient with these various cancers. "

The _National Cancer Institute_ (http://www.cancer.gov/) , the _American

Kennel Club_ (http://www.akc.org/) , pet care businesses like _PetSmart_

(http://www.petsmart.com/) and _Pet Nutrition_

(http://www.hillspet.com/hillspet/utilities/selectLanguage.hjsp) and a host of

other organizations are

funding the program.