One of the Most Prolific Cancer Killers in Dogs Can Now Be Routinely Screened
for With a Simple Blood Test
NOTTINGHAM, England, Nov. 22 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- 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 ( http://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 vets select the most appropriate
chemotherapy treatment for each patient.
PetScreen recognises 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.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
For further information, background and digitized photography please
visit the press centre of our website: http://www.pet-screen.com or contact
Dr. Kevin Slater, Chief Executive or Dr. Shahid Mian. on the telephone
numbers below.
