Veterinary oncologists rely on clinical findings to determine whether a treatment is working. We only know whether a therapy is failing when we observe clinical progression of a patient’s cancer. By then, it is more difficult to institute alternative therapies. Researchers at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University are developing genomic tool sets to assess the effectiveness of cancer therapies early in the treatment course before changes in disease status are clinically detectable.
The goal is to identify sets of genomic biomarkers in tumor and plasma samples that can help identify whether a tumor is failing to respond appropriately to treatment at a molecular level prior to clinical disease progression. This approach could change how we monitor cancer patients, enabling us to institute alternative therapies at earlier stages of disease when they are more likely to be effective.
The studies are part of a larger research initiative at Cummings School funded by the NIH to find techniques to detect early biomarkers of cancer and heart disease in dogs that can translate to human health. Veterinary oncologist and associate dean for research Dr. Cheryl London, veterinary nutritionist Dr. Lisa Freeman, veterinary cardiologist Dr. Vicky Yang, and veterinary oncologist Dr. Heather Gardner spearhead the studies.
Supported by technology available through our Comparative Pathology and Genomics Shared Resource (CPGSR) and logistical expertise available through our Clinical Research Shared Resource (CRSR), the team is focused on evaluating longitudinal tumor tissue and plasma (ie, liquid biopsy) samples to document the dynamics of genomic changes in cell-free (cf)DNA and cfRNA in response to antitumor therapies across a variety of tumor types, including osteosarcoma, lymphoma, and hemangiosarcoma. They are studying changes in DNA variants, DNA methylation, and gene expression datasets from canine patients participating in prospective clinical trials. By evaluating multiple biomarkers over time, the team hopes to identify clinically valid biomarker panels that predict outcomes to therapy at an early enough stage to help clinicians make treatment decisions that positively affect survival. These studies have the potential to create a paradigm shift in how veterinarians—and eventually human doctors—monitor response to cancer treatment.
Heather Gardner, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, in the Comparative Pathology and Genomics Shared Resource laboratory.
Citation: American Journal of Veterinary Research 2025; 10.2460/ajvr.25.05.0153
Complex longitudinal clinical studies such as these are only possible with centralized resources that support research. The CPGSR provides both technology and expertise to obtain and interpret pathologic and genomics data, allowing a much deeper dive into pathology specimens’ cellular, molecular, and genomic landscape.
The CRSR, on the other hand, provides the logistical support and access to clinical patients required for successful clinical research. Annually, more than 500 animals participate in research trials investigating new treatments for cancers, kidney disease, heart disease, arthritis, and neurological conditions through our CRSR.
Ultimately, the goal is to improve human and veterinary health through comparative translational clinical research. Studies such as these provide data to enhance diagnosis and treatment of veterinary patients while demonstrating foundational principles that lead to improved outcomes in human patients.
