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General Cancer Research

The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) funds innovative research aimed at discovering advanced diagnostic technologies and therapeutic targets for treating various types of canine cancers.

Why We Focus on
General Cancer

Cancer is a major health concern for dogs, with an estimated
1 in 4 dogs developing cancer in their lifetime. Conditions like mammary cancer, mast cell tumors, histiocytic sarcoma, and brain tumors continue to impact dogs. New strategies are needed to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
of these cancers.

Research Grants

CNRS – University of Rennes Logo
2026 Active Grant
General Cancer $149,256.00
03590: Dissecting the Tumor Microenvironment and Cellular Heterogeneity of Histiocytic Sarcomas Using Nuc-Seq
Breed(s): Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Researcher(s): Benoit Hedan
University of Zurich Logo
2026 Active Grant
General Cancer $111,780.00
03425: Assessing the radiosensitivity of molecular subtypes in canine meningiomas – a prospective clinical radiotherapy trial
Researcher(s): Carlotta Marie Ahrens, DVM
Cornell University Logo
2026 Active Grant
General Cancer $25,001.00
03483-A: Identification of genetic risk factors underlying canine gastric cancer intestinal and diffuse tumor subtypes
Breed(s): Belgian Tervuren
Researcher(s): Jacquelyn M Evans
The Ohio State University Logo
2025 Active Grant
General Cancer $157,883.50
03403: Characterization and Prognostic Evaluation of Infiltrative Immune Cells in Canine Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Breed(s): All Dogs, Boxer, German Shepherd Dog, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Researcher(s): Hunter John Piegols, DVM
University of Florida Logo
2025 Active Grant
General Cancer $239,030
03368: Liquid Biopsy for Early Relapse Detection and Improved Treatment of Canine Mast Cell Tumors
Breed(s): Beagle, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog, Chinese SharPei, Labrador Retriever, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Schnauzer, Vizsla, Weimaraner
Researcher(s): Paulo Vilar Saavedra, DVM, MS and Keita Kitagawa, PhD
University of Zurich Logo
2025 Active Grant
General Cancer $376,941.60
03373: “Deciphering the STS-landscape” – combining spatially defined transcriptomics with clinical outcome data to improve diagnosis and therapy of canine soft-tissue sarcoma
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Enni Markkanen, Dr. med. vet., Dr. sc. nat.
University of Florida Logo
2025 Active Grant
General Cancer $239,030.00
03368: Advancing Canine Health: Liquid Biopsy for Early Relapse Detection and Improved Treatment of Mast Cell Tumors
Breed(s): Beagle, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog, Chinese SharPei, Labrador Retriever, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Schnauzer, Vizsla, Weimaraner
Researcher(s): Dr. Paulo Vilar Saavedra, DVM, MS
University of Zurich Logo
2025 Active Grant
General Cancer $376,941.60
03373: “Deciphering the STS-landscape” – combining spatially defined transcriptomics with clinical outcome data to improve diagnosis and therapy of canine soft-tissue sarcoma
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Enni Markkanen, Dr. med. vet., Dr. sc. nat.
University of Illinois Logo
2024 Active Grant
General Cancer $206,273
03283: Investigating the Immune and Cytoreductive Activities of Gilvetmab Alone and in Combination with Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Inhibition in Canine Urothelial Carcinoma
Breed(s): Beagle, Shetland Sheepdog, West Highland White Terrier
Researcher(s): Timothy M. Fan, DVM, PhD and Takamitsu A. Kato, PhD
The Ohio State University Logo
2024 Active Grant
General Cancer $89,316.00
03282: Artificial intelligence-based image analysis of lymph node mast cell burden in canine cutaneous mast cell disease
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Ryan N Jennings, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Colorado State University Logo
2024 Active Grant
General Cancer $19,674.00
03305-A: TRAF3 as a Novel Prognostic Biomarker in Canine Tumor-Associated Macrophages
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Rachel V Brady, DVM, DACVIM
University of Tennessee Logo
2024 Active Grant
General Cancer $19,999.44
03307-A: Vanishing Y: Unraveling Loss of the Y chromosome in Canine Solid Cancers
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Hiroyuki Mochizuki, BVMS, PhD, DACVP
University of Florida Logo
2024 Closed Grant
General Cancer $19,999
03261-A: Mechanisms of Immunotolerance in Canine Oral Melanoma: An Opportunity for Comparative Approaches
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Valentina Stevenson, DVM, PhD and Rowan J Milner, BVSc, MMedVet, PhD
University of Missouri Logo
2024 Closed Grant
General Cancer $19,926
03186-A: Comparison of Genomic Mutation Status Between Primary Site and Metastatic Lymph Node in Canine Oral Malignant Melanoma
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Yoshimi Iwaki, DVM and Jeffrey N. Bryan, DVM, PhD
CNRS – University of Rennes Logo
2024 Active Grant
General Cancer $97,956
03195: Early Genetic Markers of Histiocytic Sarcoma for Faster Diagnosis and More Effective Treatment
Breed(s): Bernese Mountain Dog, Flat-Coated Retriever, Rottweiler
Researcher(s): Benoit Hedan, DVM, PhD

Join Us in Advancing
Canine Health

With over $9.2 million invested in general cancer research, your support helps us develop life-saving treatments and improve the well-being of dogs battling cancer.