Studying the Genetics of Histiocytic Sarcoma in Golden Retrievers

SUMMARY: Researchers will compare the genetics of golden retrievers diagnosed with histiocytic sarcoma to those without the disease to look for predisposing genetic variants.

THE PROBLEM: Histiocytic sarcoma (HS) is a rare but aggressive cancer in dogs, with an average survival time of just 49 days. Certain breeds, such as golden retrievers (GR), Bernese Mountain Dogs (BMDs), and Rottweilers, are more likely to develop this cancer and other serious cancers like lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma, and undifferentiated sarcoma. These genetic risks drastically shorten the lifespan of these breeds. New information about this deadly cancer is needed to develop novel and innovative diagnostic tests and therapies.

THE PROJECT: Past genetic studies have identified specific regions in the genome of Flat Coated Retrievers (FCR) and BMDs that increase the risk to develop and to transmit. For BMDs, this research has already helped create a genetic tool (a genetic risk test) for breeders that significantly reduce the number of dogs affected by HS. The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study ranks HS as the fifth leading cause of death in the cohort, making it a cancer of special interest.

This study aims to find the predisposing genetic alterations that make GRs more likely to develop HS and related cancers. To do this, the team will use whole-genome sequencing of 90 GRs, some with and some without a genetic risk for HS. They will look for all genetic alterations, including small mutations and large structural variations, in genomic regions associated with cancer risks. The identification of causal variants will enhance our understanding of the genetic basis of HS and related cancers, and is a step toward a genetic test for HS risk.

POTENTIAL IMPACT: This discovery could represent the first step toward providing breeders with informative markers in the future, helping to improve the health and longevity of golden retrievers.