Funded Studies 2015–2017 MORRIS ANIMAL FOUNDATION 1 Animal Health Studies At Morris Animal Foundation, we work every day to improve and protect the health of animals through scientific innovation, education and inspiration. We are committed to fighting animal diseases worldwide in species ranging from cats and dogs to horses and alpacas, and amphibians and wildcats to anteaters and tigers. Each year, our Scientific Advisory Boards review, rank and recommend for funding animal health grants submitted by scientists from around the world. At any given time, we are funding upwards of 200 studies in animal health; impacting more species in more places than any other nonprofit scientific organization. Without funding from Morris Animal Foundation, many studies simply could not be done, and critical animal health challenges would not be met. This reference book provides details on animal health studies funded in the last three years by Morris Animal Foundation. Information includes the study’s title, start date, duration, cost, funded organization, and a study summary and description. Annual grant submission deadlines are: • March – Small Animal Studies (feline and canine) • July – Large Animal Studies (equine, alpaca and llama) • November – Wildlife Studies Actual day of month varies by year. Visit morrisanimalfoundation.org/researchers for current open calls for proposals and deadlines. To learn more about these studies, or apply for a grant, contact or visit morrisanimalfoundation.org: General inquiries – 303-708-3429, [email protected] Researcher inquiries – [email protected] Press inquiries – 303-708-3418, [email protected] Call toll-free – 800-243-2345 Contents 6 CATS HORSES 39 6 Cancer Cancer 39 8 Cardiovascular Dermatology 39 10 Endocrine/Metabolic Endocrine/Metabolic 40 12 Genetics Genetics 42 12 Infectious Disease Immunology 42 17 Musculoskeletal Infectious Disease 43 17 Pharmacology Musculoskeletal 48 18 Reproduction Ophthalmology 51 Pharmacology 52 18 DOGS Regenerative Medicine 53 18 Cancer Respiratory 54 26 Cardiovascular 26 Dermatology LLAMAS/ALPACAS 56 27 Endocrine/Metabolic 28 Gastroenterology WILDLIFE 57 Amphibians 57 28 Genetics Bats 57 29 Hematology Birds 58 30 Infectious Disease Elephants & Rhinoceros 62 33 Musculoskeletal Foxes & Wild Dogs 64 34 Neurology Marine Mammals 66 35 Ophthalmology Marine Life – Non-Mammals 68 36 Pathology Marsupials 69 36 Pharmacology Multiple Wildlife Species 70 37 Urinary Reptiles 73 Wild Cats 75 Hooved Animals/Ruminants 76 Cats CANCER D17FE-007 Evaluating a New Treatment for Oral Cancer UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS Study Start Date: 2/1/2017 Projected Duration: 3 years Study Cost: $136,300 SUMMARY: Researchers will investigate a new and promising treatment for oral squamous cell carcinoma, the most common oral cancer in cats. DESCRIPTION: Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for 75 percent of all feline oral cancers. Affected cats develop extensive bone and tissue damage, as well as ulcerations, causing pain and making eating and drinking extremely difficult. Researchers will evaluate a combination of ionizing radiation with an anticancer compound shown to have antitumor effects in vitro (under controlled laboratory conditions). Fewer than 10 percent of cats survive more than one year following diagnosis, highlighting the need for new treatments. The team hopes this new combination will improve pain management and extend survival times for cats with this highly invasive cancer. D16FE-034 Using New Imaging Technology to Assess Surgical Margins Following Cancer Surgery UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS Study Start Date: 11/1/2015 Projected Duration: 3 years Study Cost: $45,939 SUMMARY: Researchers will investigate an economical, rapid-imaging method to see if cancer cells are left behind following surgical removal of sarcomas in cats. DESCRIPTION: Feline injection-site sarcoma is a highly aggressive and locally invasive tumor. Surgical removal of tumors is the recommended treatment for this type of cancer and studies indicate that “clean” surgical margins are associated with decreased tumor recurrence rates and increased survival. Researchers will evaluate a new imaging method to detect cancer cells left behind following removal of injection-site sarcomas in client-owned cats undergoing surgery. This technology is used successfully in human breast cancer surgery, providing microscopic assessment of surgical margins within minutes. Identifying a rapid and thorough imaging method to detect any remaining cancer cells during surgery for injection-site sarcomas will support targeted treatment management decisions and improve outcomes for cats with cancer. 6 FUNDED STUDIES 2015-2017 Cats D15FE-001 Searching for Cancer-Causing Viruses UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA Study Start Date: 1/1/2015 Projected Duration: 2 years Study Cost: $100,497 SUMMARY: Researchers will investigate whether novel cancer-causing viruses are found in cats with compromised immune systems. DESCRIPTION: Veterinary scientists struck a major blow against feline lymphoma in the 1960s with the discovery that feline leukemia virus was the cause of most lymphomas. Despite this success, lymphoma remains the most common cancer affecting cats, leading researchers to speculate that other, as yet unidentified, viruses might be a cause. In this study, researchers will collect cancer and blood samples from cats and screen them for unidentified cancer-causing viruses. If these viruses are found, the information will be used to develop safer, more effective treatments for cats with cancer-causing viruses. D15FE-008 Improving Diagnostic Tools for Classifying Soft-Tissue Sarcomas NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY Study Start Date: 3/1/2015 Projected Duration: 2 years Study Cost: $85,483 SUMMARY: Researchers will develop advanced DNA-based techniques for characterizing feline soft-tissue sarcomas, which may help veterinarians provide a more comprehensive diagnosis and improve their ability to choose the most appropriate clinical management strategies for these cancers. DESCRIPTION: Injection-site sarcomas in cats are aggressive, locally invasive and prone to postsurgical recurrence. Distinguishing between injection-site sarcomas and other less aggressive sarcomas remains challenging. Researchers will expand upon their previous findings to produce a sophisticated research tool for DNA-based characterization of feline soft-tissue sarcomas. Using this tool may help veterinarians distinguish between injection-site sarcomas and other less aggressive sarcomas, thereby assisting them with diagnosis and the selection of the most appropriate treatment plan for each patient. Researchers also will identify genes that may be associated with the development of these cancers, and this information may reveal potential therapeutic targets. MORRIS ANIMAL FOUNDATION 7 Cats D15FE-020 Investigating a New Treatment for Oral Cancers UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA Study Start Date: 10/1/2014 Projected Duration: 3 years Study Cost: $102,469 SUMMARY: Researchers will investigate a new treatment for feline oral cancers, using small molecular inhibitors. DESCRIPTION: Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a common and usually fatal feline cancer. A better understanding of how these tumors progress and the identification of new therapy targets for intervention are required to improve outcomes. Researchers will determine whether small molecular inhibitors block some of the mechanisms that drive oral tumor growth and drug resistance. What they learn may provide a new approach that will improve the long-term prognosis and quality of life for cats with oral cancer. CARDIOVASCULAR D16FE-015 Investigating a New Anti-Clotting Drug for Cats with Heart Disease THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA Study Start Date: 10/1/2015 Projected Duration: 3 years Study Cost: $179,952 SUMMARY: Researchers will investigate the effectiveness of a new anticoagulant drug to prevent abnormal and deadly blood clotting complications in cats with heart disease. DESCRIPTION: Cats with heart disease are prone to the formation of blood clots, which can travel to the aorta and cause an interruption in blood flow to the hind legs (thromboembolism) with devastating consequences. Researchers will compare the efficacy of the novel drug rivaroxaban to the efficacy of the standard-of-care drug clopidogrel, in preventing the formation of recurrent thromboembolisms. Information gained from this study will help researchers improve treatments and clinical management strategies to delay or prevent often-fatal clotting complications in cats with heart disease. 8 FUNDED STUDIES 2015-2017 Cats D15FE-009 Searching for Genetic Mutations Responsible for Heart Disease NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY Study Start Date: 9/1/2104 Projected Duration: 3 years Study Cost: $118,111 SUMMARY: Researchers will search for genetic causes for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the most common feline heart disease. DESCRIPTION: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common form of heart disease diagnosed in cats. Researchers will perform genetic analysis to look for a genetic cause for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in several cat breeds, including the Sphynx, Bengal, Siberian, British shorthair and Norwegian forest cat. Identification of causative genetic mutations for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy will allow for early detection and genetic screening to reduce the prevalence of this disease. Information gained from this study also will help researchers improve treatments and clinical management strategies for cats with