Breakthrough in Screening Canine Lymphoma

[glencorgi]

Scientific Breakthrough News Subject: Scientific Breakthrough in the
Screening & Treatment of CanineLymphoma Cancer is a World First
http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news...se?id=3D184892 -

One of the Most Prolific Cancer Killers in Dogs can now be Routinely Screened for With a Simple Blood Test Canine lymphoma is one of the most prolific cancers in the dog population. It accounts for more than 20% of all cancers and in certain high risk breeds this figure could be considerably higher. Now a pioneering British bioscience company, PetScreen Limited
(www.pet-screen.com) has announced an innovative screening and treatment
optimisation programme which is the first of its kind to be made
commercially available. The screen is inexpensive, minimally invasive
and relies on a small blood sample which can be taken by any vet, and
then conveniently shipped directly to PetScreen's laboratories in
Nottingham from anywhere in the world using a global logistics
partnership with FedEx. PetScreen has developed the screen based on
proteomic technology which has emerged from the sequencing of both the
human and canine genomes. It facilitates regular, routine screening
which enables cancer to be detected at a much earlier stage when, as in
humans, treatment has the best chance of success. The problems
associated with the late detection of cancer are well understood, and
whilst proteomic screening is at a comparatively early stage in humans, an ovarian cancer screen is expected to be announced in the United States next year... the work that PetScreen is undertaking in the canine world will have a significant impact for both four and two legs. The scientific team, led by Dr. Shahid Mian, has uniquely developed advanced biomarker technology for
companion animals, specifically canine at the moment, but a feline lymphoma screen is planned for next year. Additional cancer screens for other major canine tumours will also be announced in 2007. By looking for a "protein fingerprint" in the blood sample, the PetScreen proteomic screen enables very accurate and sensitive detection of the tumour, but just as
importantly, indicates that the dog is free of lymphoma. The screen
should therefore be regarded as part of an overall wellness programme
for all breeds and provides owners with peace of mind ... particularly
high risk breeds, which include both golden and flat-coated retrievers,
boxers, rottweilers, German shepherds, spaniels and many breeds of
mountain dogs. Ideally a mature pup should be screened at twelve months
and then annually. For high risk breeds and dogs from middle age
onwards, bi-annual screening should be considered, since six months in
the life of a dog is equivalent to approximately three years in human
terms. Any dog which may have been treated for lymphoma should be
screened bi-annually to monitor for recurrence. One in four dogs will
develop cancer in their lifetime.Therefore, to complement the screening
technology, PetScreen has developed a novel treatment optimisation
programme which helps vet select the most appropriate chemotherapy
treatment for each patient. PetScreen recognise the impact of this
devastating disease on dogs and owners alike. The company was co-founded
by business partners who share a passion for dogs. The company's
Chairman Professor Graeme Radcliffe, had lost three young dogs to cancer
over a five year period. His determination to do something positive led
to a chance meeting with Chief Executive, Dr Kevin Slater, an
entrepreneurial bioscientist who had worked on human biomarker
programmes. The meeting led to the partnership which founded Petscreen
... and the development of this innovative screening and treatment
programme. For further information, background and digitised photography
please visit the press centre of our website: www.pet-screen.com


Debbie

[Dillydoodle]

Debbie,
Thanks for that informative post.
Emilie

[Jane Austen]

I printed out this information to give to my vet in case she does not have the report yet. Will be interested in seeing what she says about testing Duchess.

[Jespah]

I hope that this helps many dogs. Unfortunately for Riley, even if she had been screened and the cancer found earlier, there still was no cure for her form of lymphoma. She may have had more time though.

I'm sending this info on to my vet - make sure your dogs care givers know this - it can't hurt to send it to them!

Thanks Debbie.

[Michael Romanos]

There will be many more 'break-throughs' in treating and diagnosing cancer in dogs in the short to medium term.

[corgimom]

Thanks for the informatin Deb. I am also going to print this off and give it to me vet and see if he has heard anything about it.