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Rottweiler Health Foundation Mission Statementimage: Trotting Rottweiler

To raise money to fund critical research into the genetic, communicable and acquired diseases that plague our beloved breed, the Rottweiler.

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Winter 2008
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OSTEOSARCOMA  STUDY

New Study: Mapping Genes Associated With Osteosarcoma

WE NEED YOUR HELP!  Both samples of affected and healthy dogs are still needed.  The study's veterinarian researchers currently have 80 affected dogs and 60 older healthy dogs and would like to have 120 of each to make our study be successful.

Please participate in this study if you:

1-Have a dog that has just been diagnosed with osteosarcoma, or your vet suspects osteosarcoma.  If a beloved Rottweiler is diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer), it is a heartbreaking, oftentimes life-shattering event.  Your participation in this study may not only help future dogs receiving this diagnosis with improved treatment options, but may help in creating a test for the gene that predisposes dogs to obtaining osteosarcoma.

2-Have a dog who is 8 years or older, healthy and has never been diagnosed with cancer, to be able to compare the genome of affected and healthy dogs.  We will need an AKC number or a copy of the pedigree through the grandparents.

TO PARTICIPATE

  1. Request a collection kit from us at the address below.

  2. Take your dog to his own veterinarian to have a blood sample drawn.

  3. Send the samples and paperwork back to us.

If you live east of the Mississippi
The Dog Genome Project
Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT
One Kendall Square, Bldg. 300
Cambridge, MA  02139
617-252-1900 (phone)
617-252-1902 (fax)
dog-info@broad.mit.edu (email)

If you live west of the Mississippi
Kenine E Comstock, Ph.D. 
University of Michigan
5121 Cancer Center
1500 E Medical Center Dr.
Ann Arbor MI 48109
734-647-7417 (phone)
734-647-5470 (fax)
keninec@med.umich.edu (email)

If your dog has been diagnosed with osteosarcoma, the study's medical scientists will need:

  •  a blood sample,

  • a copy of the pathology report, and

  • a copy of the dog's 3-generation pedigree

If you have a healthy dog of 8 years or older, the study's medical scientists will need:

  •  a blood sample, and

  • a copy of the dog's 3-generation pedigree or AKC no.

STUDY/GRANT SUMMARY

Eight thousand to 10,000 cases of bone cancer, also known as osteosarcoma, are reported in dogs in the United States annually,  representing a very significant health concern. Sadly, in the majority of cases, spread of the tumor through the body and death follows within a few years. Osteosarcoma affects all dogs, but the disease frequency is considerably higher in large and giant breeds, including Rottweilers. It has been suggested that genetics may play an important role in this disease.

Our group of scientists have initiated a project to identify the genetic risk factors for osteosarcoma. This study is a collaboration between University of Michigan, the Broad Institute at MIT and Dr. Jaime Modiano at University of Colorado. We expect that this study should lead to improvements in treatment of osteosarcoma. In addition, our findings will allow the development of genetic tests for osteosarcoma.

We are collecting blood samples from Rottweilers that have been diagnosed with osteosarcoma. We do need a copy of the pathology report describing how the diagnosis was made. We are requiring a biopsy be done for the study. Contact us prior to having the biopsy done and we can give specific instructions. We also need a copy of the pedigree through the grandparents.

Those fortunate owners with healthy dogs can also help. In addition, we are collecting blood samples from healthy dogs who are over 6 years old and have never been diagnosed with cancer. Again, we need a copy of the pedigree through the grandparents. Participating dogs should not be related as far back as their grandparents, so please don't send any you know to be related.

To participate in the study, Rottweiler owners can simply request a collection kit from us, take their dog to their own veterinarian to have the blood samples drawn, and then send the sample back to us . If you  would like to request a kit or any further information about the study or collection process, feel free to contact the primary study scientist:

Kenine E Comstock, Ph.D
University of Michigan
5121 Cancer Center
1500 E Medical Center Dr.
Ann Arbor MI 48109

734-647-7417 (phone)
734-647-5470 (fax)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION.

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