Vicky,
Molly has already detailed who can help with the Fred Hutchinson study on
histiocytosis, and to make life more complicated, we also have another study for
histio that your two dogs CAN participate in. We are currently working on the
www.bmdca.org website Health section, it is going to be a work in progress for a
little while to come. But there is a Current Studies page there, and the information
about the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute study will be updated with the following. I
will be trying to keep the Current Studies page updated, so that you can review it to
see what work is ongoing!
Pat Long ( Luther)
Berwyn PA
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Systemic Histiocytosis Genes in BMDs: Dr. Barrett Rollins at the Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute (DFCI) is searching for genes involved in systemic histiocytosis, which is
very similar to a human cancer called Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis. These cancers run
in families in both dogs and people, so the likelihood that both dogs and humans share
a similar gene predisposing to this cancer is very likely. Understanding the affected
genes will likely lead to more effective diagnosis and treatment for both groups.
Dr. Rollins and his associate, Dr. Jill Rudkowski, are looking for families of dogs
(parents, and littermates) who are affected with either malignant or systemic
histiocytosis, as well as families without the cancer. They want to encourage
participation on a worldwide basis of all Berners and are pleased to send DNA kits
outside the USA. DNA will be extracted from cells gathered from the dog. The cell
collection is a simple and quick process. Using a special soft brush provided by the
Dana-Farber/Harvard research team, you gently scrape the inside of the dog's cheek for
about 30 seconds and send the sample back to them in the mail. While the return
envelopes are pre-paid in the US, they do not have the capability to pre-pay the
return envelopes for other countries as proper postage is difficult to obtain.
However. the return package is very light weight and should not be very expensive to
mail.
If interested:
1. Please call or email Jill Rudkowski, MD, FRCP(c) at (617)632-4732; [EMAIL
PROTECTED] for a free collection kit.
2. Follow enclosed instructions
3. Include a completed LCH Project BMD Owner Information Form
4. Enclose a copy of the dog's official pedigree with annotations about any other
affected family members of which you have knowledge
5. Enclose a copy of the pathology report confirming the diagnosis (for affected dogs
only)
6. Enclose the swabs (soft brushes described above)
7. Mail packet with forms and samples priority mail as instructed, to DFCI
8. Call or email DFCI to let them know the packet is on its way.
If you need more information please email Mary Maliarik, ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) or Robin
Hamme ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) who are helping with recruitment efforts
Check any e-mail over the Web for free at MailBreeze (http://www.mailbreeze.com)
