Finding Novel Therapy Targets for Hemangiosarcoma to Advance Treatment

THE PROBLEM: Hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a highly malignant disease and is more common in some breeds, including golden retrievers, German shepherds, Portuguese water dogs and boxers. Veterinarians often diagnose HSA when the disease is already advanced and has spread to other sites within the body, making it exceedingly difficult to treat. Affected dogs have a grave outcome, with the rare cure occasionally reported. Research that leads to effective intervention is urgently needed and could save countless dogs’ lives.   

THE PROJECT: This project will look for tumor-specific neoantigens (TSNAs). There is a lot of interest in TSNAs because they’re unique to tumors and are, therefore, attractive treatment targets. The cause of TSNAs stems from mutations shared between patients (meaning the same treatment could be used on different individuals). This team has already identified areas where they suspect mutations are occurring that are good places to look for TSNAs. The team will closely examine these areas in dogs with HSA.

POTENTIAL IMPACT: This study could yield new treatment targets for developing a cancer vaccine and other immunotherapies to treat and prevent HSA and other aggressive dog cancers.