Veterinary Medicine

Understanding how cancers grow, adapt and spread is essential to developing better treatments. Companion animals with naturally occurring cancers share many of the same biological pathways as humans, giving Purdue researchers a powerful model to study tumor evolution in real time.

Dr. Michael Childress, professor of comparative oncology, and Dr. Andrea Pires Dos Santos, associate professor of veterinary clinical pathology, are part of a team investigating molecular markers that influence treatment response and disease progression in canine lymphomas. Their research is uncovering patterns of gene regulation that are linked to how rapidly these cancers grow and how likely they are to resist treatment. By identifying these biological signals, the team is building a clearer picture of why some lymphomas are harder to control, creating opportunities to predict which patients may need more aggressive care and informing strategies for developing new, targeted therapies for both pets and people.

Revealing how bladder cancer becomes more aggressive

Dr. Christopher Fulkerson is part of a team whose research is helping to clarify why some bladder cancers become aggressive and spread, while others progress more slowly. By comparing early-stage and advanced tumors in dogs with naturally occurring invasive urothelial carcinoma, the team has identified molecular changes that drive tumor growth and treatment resistance. The studies reveal how genetic pathways and immune responses shift as cancers evolve, offering critical clues for predicting which tumors are likely to metastasize. Because canine bladder cancer closely mirrors the human disease, this work is deepening our understanding of cancer progression in both species and pointing to earlier, more effective interventions.

Catching cancer early can dramatically change outcomes for both pets and people. Purdue researchers are studying high‑risk breeds and other naturally occurring risk factors to better understand which animals are most likely to develop cancer—and how to intervene before disease becomes life‑threatening.

Timothy Ratliff, professor of comparative pathobiology, and Dr. Deborah Knapp, distinguished professor of comparative oncology, helped establish one of the first large-scale screening programs for dogs genetically prone to bladder cancer. By monitoring Scottish terriers with a high inherited risk, their team has shown that cancer can often be detected at a much earlier stage, when it responds better to treatment. In a related study, Knapp’s team also found that dogs exposed to cigarette smoke were six times more likely to develop bladder cancer, providing pet owners with actionable steps to lower cancer risk. Together, these findings are guiding strategies for earlier detection and cancer prevention in both veterinary and human patients.