Animal Health Trust are conducting research into Mast Cell Tumours MCT

The Animal Health Tust are conducting research into Canine mast cell tumours. I would like the Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer community to participate in this research. Grey was referred to the AHT in 2010 to neurology regarding his acute pain attack. 
http://www.aht.org.uk/cms-display/science_oncolres.html

Using molecular genetics to help predict whether canine mast cell tumours will metastasiseMast cell tumours (MCTs) are the most common skin tumour in dogs, and display variable behaviour. MCTs are classified by histological grade, with the majority categorised as intermediate grade. Intermediate grading does not accurately predict how an individual MCT will behave. A study at the AHT demonstrated that frequency of expression of the proliferation marker Ki-67 was a more accurate predictor of survival, but a subset of MCTs did not behave as predicted, and a less subjective prognostic method is desirable. For human cancers, gene expression ‘signatures’ are predictive of metastatic outcome. Identification of genes most likely to stratify MCTs according to whether they metastasise is the first step towards developing an assay that will accurately predict whether a MCT will metastasise, and therefore whether a patient would benefit from chemotherapy.In this study, a whole genome microarray will be used to screen RNA from biopsies of 15 MCTs to identify genes that exhibit differential expression between tumours that metastasised and tumours that did not. Since clinically-relevant mRNA profiling-based tumour classification is possible using fine needle tissue aspirates (FNAs), expression profiles will be generated for FNAs of 3 of the MCTs to investigate whether they are representative of the tumours.How vets can help our researchIdentification of the inherited gene mutations responsible for the susceptibility of Boxers, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Weimaraners to developing mast cell tumoursCertain breeds of dog are much more likely to develop cancer than other breeds, with some families within these breeds being particularly susceptible. A study in 2004 of the incidence of mast cell tumours in dogs diagnosed at the AHT between 1997 and 1999 identified a high prevalence in Boxers, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Weimaraners. The inherited susceptibility probably results from the combined effects of many modified genes, each of which alone, confers a low to moderate increase in risk. The risk of developing a cancer is thought to increase according to the number of altered genes carried.We are seeking to identify the genes that, when mutated, are associated with the increased risk of the four breeds developing mast cell tumours. As these breeds develop these tumours more often than other breeds, the gene mutations that confer the increased risk will be more common than in other breeds, and thus easier to identify. Future work would aim to investigate whether the same gene mutations conferred susceptibility to developing this cancer upon other breeds.In the long term, it is hoped that the research will lead to the development of tests to identify dogs that carry the gene mutations conferring an increased risk. This information will be useful to vets as it will identify dogs who may benefit from careful monitoring for early detection of cancer, and thereby early treatment. These tests will also assist breeders to reduce the incidence of dogs affected with these cancers. The research will also increase understanding of how these tumours develop, ultimately assisting the development of new therapies.How pet owners/breeders can help our research How vets can help our research