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The AKC Canine Health Foundation National Parent Club Canine Health Conference (NPCCHC)

Was recently held in St. Louis, MO October 19-21, 2007. It was the sixth meeting of this biannual conference which enables parent breed club health representatives, canine health researchers, cancer specialists, geneticists, immunologists, veterinarians, representatives of the pet industry and AKC Health Foundation leadership to gather in one place. At this conference these point people discussed new research information, strategies for new research projects, dissemination of information to the parent breed clubs, innovative new cancer treatment and diagnostic procedures, and how we can continue to fund these important initiatives. Oh, we also had a little fun and relaxation along the way.

The new research grants were highlighted and cover allergic disease, autoimmune disease, cancer, blood disorders, canine genome mapping, endocrine disorders, eye diseases, gastrointestinal disease, heart disease, kidney disease, livers disease, neurological disorders, respiratory disorders, skin disease, urology and vaccine research. Specific research projects funded by our own Chinese Shar-Pei Charitable

Trust are:
1. Identification and Characterization of Genetic Mutations in Canine Mast Cell Tumors
2. Heritable and Sporadic Genetic Lesions in Canine Lymphoma
3. MicroRNAs and Canine Lymphoma
4. Generation and Analysis of Canine Bone Marrow Derived Mast Cells
5. Characterization of Fluorine-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake in Dogs with Cutaneous Mast Cell
Tumor and Malignant Lymphoma
6. Measurement of Acute Phase Reactants as a Diagnostic Tool in Shar-Pei Fever
7. Patellar Luxation in Dogs: A Molecular Approach

Throughout the three days of panel discussions and presentations topics covered a wide range of material including genetics, canine reproduction, infectious disease, probiotics, stem cell research, oncology (cancer therapeutics), ophthalmology, immunology and vaccinology.

Topics that were particularly encouraging and interesting to me were the discussion on stem cell research, and the evolution of the Canine Comparative Oncology and Genomics Consortium. Stem cell research in dogs has mainly involved adult bone marrow stem cells and do involve the use of embryonic stem cells. Stem cells are primitive cells which retain the ability to differentiate into specific cell types such as muscle cells, nerve cells, pancreatic cells, etc. when grown in media containing various growth factors. The emphasis is using stem cells as a therapeutic modality. Currently stem cells are being used in orthopedics to produce new bone in fractures and hasten the healing process. Other research areas in dogs are the treatment of canine cardiomyopathy, spinal cord injuries, degenerative spinal myelopathy and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Westies. The AKC CHF is in the process of developing 3 regional centers to harvest bone marrow stem cells in the U.S. Another exciting area is the development of a national canine cancer biospecimen repository. In June, 2004 an informal group of canine cancer researchers collaborated in the formation of the Canine Comparative Oncology and Genomics Consortium (CCOCG). In 2007 this group incorporated as a Non-For-Profit and obtained 501©3 status. Funding obtained from the AKC CHF, Morris Animal Foundation and Pfizer has allowed the establishment of the Pfizer-CCOGC Biospecimen Repository in Frederick, Maryland. The repository houses tumor tissue, normal tissues, serum, plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cell preparations, genomic DNA, RNA and urine samples. Materials will be collected at 3 institutions – Colorado State University, Ohio State University and the University of Wisconsin – Madison. It is hoped an additional 7 collection sites can soon be up and running. The importance of this project is that researchers can share samples for their research without calling for samples and using many dogs – the samples can be purchased from the repository. These samples would have patient histories, genetic information and be cataloged for maximum usefulness.

Lastly, it was pointed out many, many times at the conference that human researchers are becoming very interested in dogs as human models of cancer. The elucidation of the canine genome has very directly shown how closely the human and canine genomes are. This realization has strongly contributed to rapid advancements in genetic testing, cancer research and genetic advancements in both species. The human scientific community has begun to realize the importance of funding research in canine diseases which will result in rapid advancements in the canine field – this will directly benefit dog owners and our companions.

Jeff Vidt, DVM 01/12/08