Tackling the Beast Head-on!
New TCC Screening
Study Announced
Marcia Dawson, DVM, Chairman
HTF
For those who have never known a Scottie afflicted with
bladder cancer, you can count yourself fortunate. In a breed estimated to be 16-20 times
more at risk for Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC) than other breeds, any
effort to tackle the disease is indeed welcome news. Now, with the STCA’s
endorsement and approval of HTF funding for a new screening study to be
conducted by Dr. Debbie Knapp at Purdue University, the news could not be
better.
Dr. Knapp is already well known to Scottie owners and the
STCA for her tenacious, long-term research and clinical trials on TCC, a cancer
that far too many of us have experienced in our dogs. Thirteen years ago, she
and Dr. Larry Glickman conducted the first epidemiological study to
characterize this disease in Scotties. Six years later, Dr. Knapp joined forces
with Dr. Elaine Ostrander at the NIH to research the genetics of TCC in
Scotties and other high-risk breeds, a project of major significance that is
still underway. And now, in her study entitled Screening and Early Intervention
to Positively Transform the Management of Urinary Bladder Cancer in Scottish
Terriers, Dr. Knapp plans to follow a population of 100 Scottish
Terriers over a 3-year period with twice-a-year screenings.
The ultimate goal of this study is the development of a
successful and routine screening protocol for Scotties and other high-risk
breeds, leading to early intervention when needed using a relatively low risk
medication. This protocol may ultimately save the lives of thousands of dogs, while
avoiding the side effects from traditional cancer treatment and helping to
lower health care costs for the owners.
The screenings will consist of a physical exam, ultrasound
of the bladder, urine collection by free-catch for specialized urine assays and
urinalysis, blood collection, and paperwork to be filled out by the owners. The
screenings will take place year-round at Purdue and also in the fall and spring
at two off-campus locations: Louisville, KY (Rose Shacklett, coordinator) and
Chatham, IL (Lisa Hills, coordinator). There will be no cost to the Scottie
owners for the screenings. If abnormal lesions are discovered in the screening,
follow-up diagnostic work will be offered at Purdue, also at no cost to the
owner.
Dr. Knapp’s new study is an innovative approach in
veterinary medicine in that it focuses on the prevention, early detection and
early intervention of TCC in Scotties. In human medicine, we know that routine
screenings and early diagnosis of disease can result in more successful treatment
outcomes. But this is not a typical course of action in veterinary medicine.
Too often the diagnosis of TCC in Scotties is made too late, when the cancer is
too advanced and often has already spread to other areas, making treatment much
less effective. Dr. Knapp is taking a proactive approach in that she wants to
screen apparently healthy dogs starting at the minimum age of 7 years and then
follow these dogs carefully over 3 years. This will allow Dr. Knapp and her
team to detect the earliest, pre-cancerous changes in the bladder wall, even before
there are any symptoms in the Scottie. If abnormalities are found on screening
and a diagnosis of TCC is then confirmed, Dr. Knapp will be able to intervene
earlier than ever before with Deramaxx®, a drug similar to piroxicam. It is
expected that this early intervention with a pill taken every day will result
in regression or long-term control of the disease in the majority of affected
Scotties.
Weighing the importance and the potential benefits of the
study for our Scotties, the HTF and the STCA Board agreed to help fund the
project to the level of $30,000 per year for a 3-year period. The sponsor
agreements with Purdue University are now officially signed, and the project
has the green light!
There is no question that this study is a big commitment for
the HTF, one that we enter into with consideration and care. Yet, we firmly believe
that this project has the potential to provide the tools to routinely screen
for, diagnose early and manage this terrible disease in our beloved Scotties,
both now in the future. In fact, the study is already having an impact! In a
practice run at Purdue on June 18th, TCC was discovered in Barb Zink’s
11-year-old Rita, one of 7 Scotties screened. After confirmation of the
diagnosis with a biopsy via cystoscopy, Rita is now the first case on Deramaxx,
and so far, she is doing well.
In the ultimate analysis, the success of this important
study can be achieved only through the participation of Scottie owners. If you
are able and willing to enter your Scottie(s) in this study, please contact the
individuals listed in the accompanying fact sheet for more information and
details. For those unable to participate, and for all Scottie owners who
understand the ravages of this disease, please consider contributing to this
cause, in memory of so many beautiful dogs that we have lost and for the future
of so many Scotties to come.
Marcia Dawson DVM ©2014
Chairman, STCA Health Trust Fund
hijinkscot@hughes.net
The Screening Study is scheduled to start September 1st 2014 and will span the next 3 years. All appointments for screening clinics will be schedules in advance. Times and dates to be announced.
For information about the study and to enroll your Scottie:
Patty Bonney, BS, RVT
Clinical Trials Coordinator
Purdue Comparative Oncology Program
College of Veterinary Medicine
625 Harrison St.
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN 47907
(765)494-1130
bonney@purdue.edu
Springfield, IL Contact:
Lisa Hills
Kinross@comcast.net
(Burgers/hot dogs, potato salad, chips and a drink) 
