Understanding and Treating Cancer Through Companion Animal Research
Comparative Oncology Program
This program brings together experts to learn about cancer in pets to help us better understand and treat cancer in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P30 center grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11178761 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our program focuses on conducting important basic and translational work, including studies in companion animals, to gain knowledge that can help prevent and reduce the burden of cancer. We bring together researchers, veterinarians, and doctors who specialize in how diseases affect different species and use innovative animal models. Our goal is to make discoveries that guide and validate early treatment ideas in a preclinical setting, before and during human clinical trials. We aim to uncover how genes and cells contribute to cancer, characterize the unique features of tumors to improve diagnosis and treatment, and conduct studies in pets with cancer to advance human cancer research, especially for new immunotherapy approaches.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is foundational, and future patients with various types of cancer may benefit from the discoveries made here, particularly those who might be candidates for novel immunotherapies.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate direct treatment or participation in a human clinical trial would not directly benefit from this preclinical program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat various cancers in humans by leveraging insights gained from naturally occurring cancers in companion animals.
How similar studies have performed: Comparative oncology, which studies naturally occurring cancers in animals to inform human medicine, has shown promise in accelerating translational research.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Xinbin — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Chen, Xinbin
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.