Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force Raises Support, Funds Additional Studies,
and Requests Submission of Research Proposals
Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force Raises Support, Funds Additional
Studies,
and Requests Submission of Research Proposals
The Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force (VAFSTF) announces that it has attained this year’s goal of raising $250,000 to fund research on vaccine associated feline sarcomas (VAFS). A $20,000 contribution from Novartis Animal Health capped the 1998-99 funding cycle. Pfizer Animal Health’s Platinum level contribution of $100,000, Fort Dodge Animal Health’s Silver level contribution of $25,000, and donations from Intervet, Inc., Merial Animal Health, and Schering-Plough Animal Health assisted in bringing contributions from manufacturers to a total of $175,000 for this funding cycle. A $50,000 Gold level contribution from the American Animal Hospital Association Foundation, and support from the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the Cornell Feline Health Center, and the Ohio Animal Health Foundation brought veterinary organizations’ total to $75,000. Additionally, educational grants have been provided by Merial Animal Health and Schering-Plough Animal Health to enhance distribution of the document, Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force Practitioner Guidelines: Diagnosis and Management of Suspected Sarcomas, along with computed tomography (CT) images of VAFS, to veterinarians across the country. The task force is extremely thankful for the generosity of these and other manufacturers, veterinary organizations, and individuals.
In early October the Task Force met and granted additional funds to expand two current studies. Sponsors’ contributions have enabled the VAFSTF to provide more than $380,000 during the 1997-98 and 1998-99 funding cycles for eleven studies investigating the epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, and treatment of feline vaccine-associated sarcomas.
In late October, the VAFSTF mailed requests for research proposals (RFP’s) to Deans of veterinary schools and colleges, heads of veterinary science departments, and other interested parties, for distribution to interested investigators. The RFP document, guidelines for proposal submission, and abstracts of previously funded studies are also available online from the VAFSTF Website (http://www.avma.org/vafstf). The deadline for proposal submission is February 1, 2000. This 1999-2000 funding cycle is the VAFSTF’s last full research funding year, but education and other activities of the task force are planned to extend well beyond this date.
The Task Force has funded the following six projects in for the 1998 – 1999 program.
Dr. James R. Richards
Director, Cornell Feline Health Center
Education/Communication Subgroup Chair, VAFSTF
Vaccine Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force
1998 – 1999 Studies
Epidemiology study
Initially funded for 1998, this study was extended through 1999 and focuses on some of the remaining controversial and unsolved issues arising from the association between administration of some vaccines and development of soft-tissue sarcomas in cats. Six major collaborating centers in the United States and Canada will be involved in this, the most exhaustive vaccine-associated sarcoma study ever undertaken.
The investigators will compare cats that have sarcomas diagnosed histologically at vaccine sites with cats in which basal cell tumor has been diagnosed. This prospective case-control study will examine the relationship between putative risk factors and the conditional probability of developing vaccine-associated feline sarcomas, to measure relative risk and incidence.
Principal investigator is Dr. P. H. Kass, University of California-Davis.
Co-investigators are Drs. M. J. Hendrick, S. Lester, D. G. Esplin, L. D. McGill, M. Slater, W. L. Spangler.
Etiology studies
During the first year of this study, investigators identified alteration of the p53 tumor suppressor gene as a major genetic event in the development of vaccine associated feline sarcoma (VAFS). During the next phase, they will investigate the clinical relevance of p53 alterations in VAFS with particular emphasis on finding an explanation for the recurrent nature of the disease and studying the effect of p53 mutations on the response (in vitro) to therapeutic agents.
Principal investigator is S. Kanjilal, PhD, University of Minnesota.
Co-investigators are Drs. J. S. Klausner, V. Kapur, C. Wood.
This project involves investigating possible viral causes of vaccine associated feline sarcomas. Immunohistochemistry and PCR are being used to detect papillomavirus, herpes-virus, and polyomavirus in the vaccine-associated tumors. These three viruses have been linked with various tumors in cats or other species, including humans.
Principal investigator is M. L. Jackson, DVM, PhD
Co-investigators are B. Kidney, D. Haines, J. Ellis
Vaccination of cats is associated with the development of aggressive cancers that respond poorly to treatment. Little is known about why these tumors develop. The investigators believe the vaccines cause mutations to normal feline cells, leading to tumors. This research uses an assay to evaluate whether the vaccines cause mutations in cells. This research could lead to selection of vaccines that are not likely to cause tumors, preventing vaccine associated sarcomas from developing
Principal investigator is S. M. LaRue, DVM, PhD, Colorado State University
Co-investigator is Dr. E. A. McNiel, DVM, MS
Treatment studies
The purpose of this study is to determine the utility of performing CT scans in the evaluation of cats with vaccine associated sarcomas. The CT findings will be evaluated in conjunction with the biopsy results to:
The majority of cats with vaccine associated sarcomas are currently undergoing at least one surgery prior to referral for radiation therapy. By further defining the role of tumor staging prior to the initial definitive surgery, it may be possible to improve local control and prolong overall survival in cats with vaccine associated sarcomas.
Principal investigator is M. C. McEntee, DVM, DACVIM, DAVR, University of California at Davis
Co-investigator is V. F. Samii, DVM, DACVR
Vaccine associated feline sarcomas (VAFS), like many other tumors, are likely to have activated oncogenes. Expression or activation of one such oncogene called Ras may make them susceptible to killing by an otherwise innocuous virus called a reovirus. The purpose of this study is to determine if VAFSs have activated Ras, which may make them candidates for novel therapy using reovirus.
Principal investigator is J. A. Ellis, DVM, PhD
Co-investigators are B. Kidney, D. Haines, M. Jackson
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