Research & Initiatives
A field uniquely suited to veterinary scientist
Clinical trials using immune checkpoint inhibitors have recently been applied to dogs with naturally occurring cancers, such as malignant melanoma. Some dogs even achieved complete remission, showing very promising results. However, we still know little about why and how boosting anti-cancer immunity leads to these benefits in canine patients.
Our lab focuses on canine malignant melanoma and nasal carcinoma as translational models of human cancers. The principal investigator (PI) is especially interested in exploring the tumor microenvironment by asking questions such as:
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What immune and non-immune cells make up the tumor?
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What kinds of T cell clones are present, and how do they behave?
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Do these cells recognize specific cancer antigens?
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Where are these cells located within the tumor?
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How do immune cells, non-immune cells, and cancer cells interact with one another?
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What role do genetic mutations play in this process?
By answering these questions, our goal is to develop novel immunotherapies that can truly cure canine cancers. To achieve this, the lab applies cutting-edge tools such as single-cell RNA sequencing and advanced bioinformatics, providing a high-resolution view of cancer biology.
The PI strongly believes that:
“Simply running clinical trials in dogs to test new drugs for humans is not enough. Without a deep understanding of the canine immune system, such trials may not truly benefit the dogs themselves. Our mission is to first uncover the immune mechanisms in dogs, so we can develop immunotherapies that genuinely help them — and, in turn, provide insights that benefit human patients as well.”
