current studies
In 2008, Morris Animal Foundation will fund about 120 new and continuing studies for dogs, cats, horses, llamas/alpacas, and wildlife as well as 30 veterinary student projects.
We also have numerous studies nearing completion. You can search our current study database by species and/or disease to learn more about the studies we are funding in the areas you care most about. The results will also show you whether a study is available for sponsorship.
INSTRUCTIONS - Select a division from the left column, a disease or disorder from the middle column, and a study ID number from the right column.
D05CA-321: “Modulation of Canine Malignant Melanoma Radiosensitivity”
principal investigator: Michael S. Kent, DVM, University of California/Davis
sponsorship not needed
Nearly Complete
Melanoma is a highly aggressive, often fatal, cancer in dogs that usually occurs in the oral cavity and nail bed, but also can be found in the skin and eyes. It is often resistant to radiation therapy. Even with radical surgical procedures or radiation therapy, recurrence rates are high. Several genes have been characterized that play a role in radiation resistance in human melanomas. This study will further evaluate three of these genes, which investigators recently identified in canine melanomas, to determine their effects on radiation sensitivity. If these genes increase radiation sensitivity, they could be used to develop therapeutic strategies for treating dogs with malignant melanoma. This grant will fund a young investigator’s further training in radiation therapy for treating canine and feline tumors.
