Cancer Research Study: Owner's Flyer

Malignant Histiocytosis/Histiocytic Sarcoma and Soft Tissue Sarcomas in Flat-Coated Retrievers

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Malignant histiocytosis, also known as histiocytic sarcoma, is a highly breed-specific disease that affects both Flat-Coated Retrievers and Bernese Mountain Dogs in disproportionately higher numbers than other breeds.  Currently, the FCR Foundation is funding two studies investigating this disease; one of the studies is also investigating other types of soft tissue sarcomas.  Basic information on the studies is outlined below.  Please consider participating, if possible.  The knowledge gained through these studies may allow treatment of these types of cancer in the future, as well as the development of genetic tests for carriers of the disease genes.  A diagnosis of cancer is heart breaking, but your ailing companion could make a difference to the future health and longevity of our breed.  Your dog could leave a Legacy of Hope for a brighter future for all Flat-Coated Retrievers and their owners.

If you suspect that your dog has malignant histiocytosis or a soft tissue sarcoma, please contact our Support Team: FCR-Cancer-Support@yahoogroups.com.  The dedicated volunteers can help you decide which project(s) would benefit from your participation, guide you through the process, contact the researchers for you, and give you the most current instructions.  Individual contacts for the Support Team are at the bottom of this flyer.  If you prefer, you may contact the individual researchers directly. 

Breen Study (Malignant Histiocytosis/Histiocytic Sarcoma and Soft Tissue Sarcomas)

Contact Dr. Breen’s lab manager, Tessa Breen, at CVM_K9Genomics@ncsu.edu (E-mail),
919-513-1466 (phone), or 919-513-7301 (Fax)

• Dr. Matthew Breen is studying the genetic basis of malignant histiocytosis and soft tissue sarcomas.
• He needs both blood and tumor samples from dogs affected with these diseases.
• Instructions for your veterinarian can be found in the Breen Vet Flyer (PDF).
• A sample can be collected at the same time as a sample for diagnosis.  Dr. Breen will determine if it is a cancer that qualifies for the study, so any suspicious tumor should be submitted.  For diagnostic purposes, a sample of your dog's tumor must also be sent to a regular pathology lab. 
• If you are planning to have tumor samples collected at the time of euthanasia, be sure to give the study information to your vet in advance so he can be prepared.  In case your regular vet is unwilling to participate or unavailable at the time of euthanasia, find out about emergency clinics in your area.  Keep a copy of the vet flyer in your car or in your wallet so you will be sure to have it with you when you need it. 
• Dogs who have undergone chemotherapy or radiation therapy may NOT participate in this study.
• Dr. Breen also needs blood samples from first-degree relatives of affected dogs.
• A completed Consent Form and 5-generation pedigree are required; these can be sent separately from blood and tumor samples.
• On the Consent Form, please agree to let Dr. Breen share your dog’s samples with other researchers (e.g., Dr. Ostrander). 
• Dr. Breen would like a photo of your dog (hard-copy or electronic) for the collage on the wall of his lab, which serves as a daily reminder that each of his cases is someone’s beloved pet.
• Dr. Breen will be recruiting at least through March 2009.

Ostrander Study (Malignant Histiocytosis/Histiocytic Sarcoma only)

Contact Dr. Ostrander's samples manager, Amanda Herda, at herdaa@mail.nih.gov (E-mail),
301-451-9390 (phone), or 301-594-0023 (Fax), or Dr. Heidi Parker at hgparker@nhgri.nih.gov (E-mail) or 301-402-8625 (phone).

• Dr. Elaine Ostrander's study involves dogs affected with histiocytic sarcoma (a.k.a., malignant histiocytosis) as well as dogs over 10 years of age who have never been diagnosed with cancer (for control purposes).
• Instructions for your veterinarian can be found in the Ostrander Vet Flyer (PDF).
• The research is being done in collaboration with Dr. David Sargan at Cambridge University, UK.
• With recent advances in mapping the canine genome, it may now be possible to identify the gene that causes malignant histiocytosis in our dogs.  That information will in turn allow the development of a genetic test to identify dogs that carry the mutation for this dreaded disease. 
• The researchers need only blood, not tissue, from dogs participating in this study.
• Dr. Ostrander also has a kit that will be sent free of charge; it is not required but includes collection tubes for the blood and supporting paperwork to make the process easier.
• Supporting documentation includes a 3-generation pedigree and a Consent Form.  In addition, a copy of the pathology report is required for affected dogs; a general description of the dog's health is required for healthy old dogs.
• The Consent Form comes with the kit or can be obtained from the Cancer Studies Support Team.
• Dogs undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy CAN participate in this research.
• Health Updates:  If a member of the healthy dog group is later diagnosed with any type of cancer, it is critical that this information be relayed to Amanda Herda so the dog can be removed from the control group.

For additional information, go to Frequently Asked Questions about study participation. 

To make study participation easier, the FCR Foundation will reimburse all owners up to $100 for tissue samples and up to $50 for blood samples submitted to any of these studies (receipts required).  Contact Cheryl Kistner at kistnec@yahoo.com with requests.

Cancer Studies Support Team

Use our private, confidential group address: FCR-Cancer-Support@yahoogroups.com
Or contact any Team member directly: 

Judy Cerney	judycerney@gmail	972-517-1119
Gay Coffin	jcoffin121@hotmail.com	203-595-9489
Cynthia McCollum	cyndogs@tampabay.rr.com	727-953-6974
Vicky Nickerson	seleya8@aol.com	781-837-1566
Ingrid Sarelius	isarelius@rochester.rr.com	585-624-5568