The Purdue Comparative Oncology Program (PCOP) in the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine was established in 1979 with the goal to improve the outlook for pet animals and humans with cancer. That goal remains strong today. Scientists in the PCOP have worked to identify specific forms of naturally-occurring cancer in pet dogs that closely resemble that same form of cancer in humans. Investigations are then conducted in dogs with these cancers in order to answer key questions needed to make progress against cancer in dogs and humans.
The PCOP provides compassionate care for more than 1,000 pet animals with cancer each year at the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (PUVTH). The owners of many of the dogs examined elect to allow their dog to participate in a clinical trial, if the dog is eligible based on study requirements. For these trials, the dogs live at home with their families and then return to the PUVTH periodically for treatment and evaluation. It is a win – win situation. The dogs in trials receive treatments that are expected to be helpful and that may not otherwise be available, and the dogs help generate information for better ways to manage cancer that will help other dogs and potentially humans.
A strong focus that has developed within the PCOP efforts is work in invasive urinary bladder cancer. Studies in dogs are leading to new information regarding the causes and risk factors for bladder cancer, possible strategies to lessen the risk, better methods to determine the presence and extent of the cancer, and new approaches to the treatment of invasive bladder cancer.
The veterinarians, scientists, and staff in the PCOP also play an active role in educating the veterinary cancer care team and comparative oncology researchers of the future. Educational opportunities exist for veterinary oncology residents, veterinary and veterinary technician students, and graduate students.
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