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Tuesday 21 November 2006, 18:21 GMT
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- Scientific Breakthrough in the
Screening & Treatment of Canine Lymphoma Cancer is a World First
- NOTTINGHAM, England, November 21 /PRNewswire/ --
- One of the Most Prolific Cancer Killers in Dogs
can now be Routinely Screened for With a Simple Blood Test
Canine lymphoma is one of the most prolific cancers
in the dog population. It accounts for more than 20% of all cancers
and in certain high risk breeds this figure could be considerably
higher. Now a pioneering British bioscience company, PetScreen
Limited (www.pet-screen.com) has announced an innovative screening
and treatment optimisation programme which is the first of its kind
to be made commercially available.
The screen is inexpensive, minimally invasive and
relies on a small blood sample which can be taken by any vet, and
then conveniently shipped directly to PetScreen's laboratories in
Nottingham from anywhere in the world using a global logistics
partnership with FedEx.
PetScreen has developed the screen based on
proteomic technology which has emerged from the sequencing of both
the human and canine genomes. It facilitates regular, routine
screening which enables cancer to be detected at a much earlier
stage when, as in humans, treatment has the best chance of success.
The problems associated with the late detection of cancer are well
understood, and whilst proteomic screening is at a comparatively
early stage in humans, an ovarian cancer screen is expected to be
announced in the United States next year... the work that PetScreen
is undertaking in the canine world will have a significant impact
for both four and two legs.
The scientific team, led by Dr Shahid Mian, has
uniquely developed advanced biomarker technology for companion
animals, specifically canine at the moment, but a feline lymphoma
screen is planned for next year. Additional cancer screens for other
major canine tumours will also be announced in 2007.
By looking for a "protein fingerprint" in the blood
sample, the PetScreen proteomic screen enables very accurate and
sensitive detection of the tumour, but just as importantly,
indicates that the dog is free of lymphoma. The screen should
therefore be regarded as part of an overall wellness programme for
all breeds and provides owners with peace of mind ... particularly
high risk breeds, which include both Golden and Flat-coated
Retrievers, Boxers, Rottweilers, German shepherds, Spaniels and many
breeds of Mountain Dogs. Ideally a mature pup should be screened at
twelve months and then annually. For high risk breeds and dogs from
middle age onwards, bi-annual screening should be considered, since
six months in the life of a dog is equivalent to approximately three
years in human terms. Any dog which may have been treated for
lymphoma should be screened bi-annually to monitor for recurrence.
One in four dogs will develop cancer in their
lifetime. Therefore, to complement the screening technology,
PetScreen has developed a novel treatment optimisation programme
which helps vets select the most appropriate chemotherapy treatment
for each patient.
PetScreen recognise the impact of this devastating
disease on dogs and owners alike. The company was co-founded by
business partners who share a passion for dogs. The company's
Chairman Professor Graeme Radcliffe, had lost three young dogs to
cancer over a five year period. His determination to do something
positive led to a chance meeting with Chief Executive, Dr Kevin
Slater, an entrepreneurial bioscientist who had worked on human
biomarker programmes. The meeting led to the partnership which
founded Petscreen ... and the development of this innovative
screening and treatment programme.
For further information, background and digitised
photography please visit the press centre of our website:
www.pet-screen.com or contact Dr Kevin Slater, Chief Executive or Dr
Shahid Mian on the telephone numbers below.
PetScreen Limited Freephone: (UK only) 0800-028-4811