Updated June 25, 2025 – In 2023, the Foundation launched the Hemangiosarcoma Initiative to dedicate funding, people and resources to advance the prevention, detection and treatment of, and potentially cures for, this devastating cancer. The initiative is a multiyear, multimillion-dollar endeavor to dramatically change the story of hemangiosarcoma from one with an ending of almost certain death to one with a new beginning. In June 2025, the Foundation advanced the Hemangiosarcoma Initiative further by selecting five new research proposals focused on diagnosis and treatment.
Hemangiosarcoma has been on the Foundation’s radar for many years. This terrible cancer affects thousands of dogs each year and poses an emotional and financial burden for affected families. Hemangiosarcoma is a cancer of special interest in the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study. Initial data from this Study revealed an unexpectedly high rate of hemangiosarcoma in our cohort, prompting the Foundation to take swift action.
At the same time, development officers were hearing heart-breaking stories from donors. It was clear the time had come to move the needle—by finding new treatments, developing early diagnostic tests, and deepening our understanding of how this cancer arises and spreads.
Our teams carefully considered which areas of research would offer the most promise for dogs, families, and veterinary professionals. We consulted with researchers, pet parents, and veterinarians, identifying urgent knowledge gaps.
As a result, we prioritized studies in:
- Early disease diagnosis
- New therapeutic approaches, either alone or paired with diagnostics to monitor treatment efficacy
- Genetics
A call for proposals was sent to researchers around the world. A panel consisting of geneticists, oncologists, surgeons, pathologists and cancer researchers convened to review and debate the merits of each proposal. After two days of deliberation, eight studies were selected for funding.
The eight studies in the first phase of the Hemangiosarcoma Initiative are:
- Dr. Erin Dickerson, University of Minnesota – Investigate whether different hemangiosarcoma subtypes influence how affected dogs respond to treatment.
- Dr. Andrea Pires dos Santos, Purdue University – Examine the feasibility of using molecules called microRNAs as an early detection tool for hemangiosarcoma.
- Dr. Jong Hyuk Kim, University of Florida – Investigate the role of a genetic mutation found in about 1/3 of dogs diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma in an effort to find new therapies for affected dogs.
- Dr. Frances Chen, University of Massachusetts – Develop statistical breeding models to help reduce hemangiosarcoma incidence in dog breeds.
- Dr. Jiho Kim, Protein Advances Incorporated Life Sciences – Explore whether a protein found in some human cancers is also present in hemangiosarcoma tumors and is a feasible therapy target.
- Dr. Alexandre Le Roux, Schwarzman Animal Medical Center – Use a technique called single-cell RNA sequencing to identify surface markers specific to canine hemangiosarcoma cells as a first step toward the development of an effective and precise radiation therapy.
- Dr. Shaying Zhao, University of Georgia – Look for mutations in hemangiosarcoma cells as a key part of finding new therapy targets.
- Dr. Clarissa Zamboni, University of Milan – Test whether small particles known as extracellular vesicles could be used to deliver chemotherapy directly to hemangiosarcoma cells.
The current projects are in progress and the first results are starting to be realized. Notable achievements so far include:
- Samples from the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study have been sent to researchers as needed
- Genetic sequencing underway and almost complete in studies focused on mutations
- Screening of hemangiosarcoma samples begun
The projects are slated to be completed in early 2026.
What’s Next?
As early findings emerge, the Foundation is expanding its efforts with a new round of research projects.
On June 17 and 18, 2025, we gathered a prestigious group of veterinary scientists to review the latest group of hemangiosarcoma-focused proposals as part of the Hemangiosarcoma Initiative. Our goal is to continue the momentum toward new diagnostic tests, better therapies and greater understanding of this cancer.
After two days of deliberations the panel recommended five studies for funding. The selected proposals will be reviewed by the Foundation’s Animal Welfare Advisory Board and approved by our Research Oversight Committee. We anticipate the projects will begin this fall.
Topics include new diagnostic test development and finding new therapeutic targets specific to hemangiosarcoma. We’re excited about these new studies and thankful to the panel of experts who donated many hours reviewing and debating the proposals.
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