One Step Closer to Curbing Canine Cancer: ACVIM Foundation Awards Oncology Grant

Dr. Smith and her team received a grant totaling $28,458 from the ACVIM Foundation for their study titled, “Circulating microRNA as Predictive Biomarkers for Canine Mammary Neoplasia,” which will explore if microRNA can be used to accurately detect cancer cells and also predict how well patients will respond to treatment.

“The Auburn University study coincides with the mission of the ACVIM Foundation, which is to improve animal and human health by funding discovery and education,” said Andrea Miller, Director of the ACVIM Foundation. “Dr. Annette Smith and her collaborators are leaders in veterinary medicine, and we are honored to support their valuable research.”

Breast cancer is a common cause of death in both women and dogs, and the disease shares characteristics at the genetic level. Circulating microRNA has shown promising early results in human studies, which Dr. Smith and her team are hoping to also achieve with canine patients.

“We are very pleased for the opportunity to perform research in the exciting area of microRNAs,” said Dr. Smith. “These small molecules may provide clues to early diagnosis and prognosis in canine mammary tumors with just a small blood sample. Ultimately, therapeutics blocking some of these molecules may also be developed. There will likely be translational applications for human breast cancer. We appreciate the ACVIM Foundation’s funding of this project.”

The ACVIM Foundation exists to bridge the gap between available funding and the vital work that needs to be done. Because clinical studies in veterinary medicine are severely underfunded and receive virtually no government support, ACVIM specialists have long depended on the generosity of private donors and industry sponsors to support their research. For more information about the ACVIM Foundation grant program, please visit www.acvimfoundation.org/grants/grant-resources/.