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| Osteosarcoma - Canine Bone Cancer - Research Study "ARHC" received this following letter and document, in our mail, regarding this very important study. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Rottweiler Enthusiast, Eight thousand to 10,000 cases of bone cancer, also known as osteosarcoma, are reported in dogs in the United States annually. Sadly, in the majority of cases, spread of the tumor through the body and death follows within a few years or less. Osteosarcoma affects all dogs, but the occurrence is considerably higher in large and giant breeds, including Rottweilers. Genetics may play an important role in this disease. Our group of scientists from the University of Michigan and the Broad Institute of MIT/Harvard is studying the genetic risk factors for osteosarcoma. This study, funded by the Canine Health Foundation, will lead to a better understanding of the causes of bone cancer and ultimately to better treatment. In addition, our findings will allow the development of genetic tests for osteosarcoma. All of this in combination should lead to an end to the suffering and heartbreak that osteosarcoma brings. We are collecting blood samples from dogs that have been diagnosed with osteosarcoma. We do need a copy of the pathology report describing how the diagnosis was made. We are not requiring a biopsy be done for the study. The samples can be taken at any stage of treatment, before, during or after. We also need the AKC numbers or, better yet, a copy of the pedigree through the grandparents. If you just don't have the pedigree available, we can enroll the dog, however, more useful information is gained from the pedigree. Owners with healthy dogs can also help. To be able to compare the genome of affected and healthy dogs, we are also collecting blood samples from healthy dogs who are 8 years or older and have never been diagnosed with cancer. Again, we need AKC numbers or a copy of the pedigree through the grandparents. For healthy dogs, it is necessary to have the pedigree. How to participate: 1. Request a collection kit from us at the address below. 2. Take your dog to his own veterinarian to have the blood samples drawn. 3. Send the samples and paperwork back to us. We would greatly appreciate your help in promoting this study among Rottweiler owners. Please also see the attached informational sheet. (View Clicking Here) warmest regards, Kenine Kenine E Comstock, Ph.D University of Michigan/ 5111 Cancer Center, Box 0940 1500 E Medical Center Dr. Ann Arbor MI 48109 PH:734-647-7417 FAX: 734-647-5470 keninec@med.umich.edu ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please help, all you can, by participating in every breed-related health study that relates to your dog. This is the only way we can adequately research what is happening with our beloved breed. Thank you!!! Osteosarcoma Information Sheet (printer friendly format microsoft word document) |
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