The new DNA-based liquid biopsy, from University of Edinburgh researchers, could help manage cancer – a disease that affects a quarter of all dogs and as many as a half in some breeds.
The technology, developed by new spinout CanCan Diagnostics, allows for patient monitoring at greater sensitivity than the currently-used imaging method while being much quicker and less invasive.
CanCan’s new cancer test involves capturing a blood sample inside a small tubular device. The tube stabilises DNA in the sample, which can then be sequenced and analysed using a proprietary bioinformatic pipeline, with results available in 7 to 10 days.
CanCan’s technology is aimed at supporting treatment of cancer in dogs as a monitoring tool or to support difficult diagnoses.
The cancer test, called K9-LiquiDXâ, detects DNA which is circulating in the blood.
A small fraction of this DNA in patients with cancer comes from tumour cells, which allows the test to monitor progression of tumours.
This technology, known as liquid biopsy, is increasingly used in human oncology, but it is in its infancy in the veterinary sector.
Dogs affected by cancer could be tested at the point of their diagnosis to establish a baseline result. This could then be compared with results from future tests to monitor progress of disease over the animal’s lifetime.
Dr Maciej Parys, veterinarian at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and director of Cancan Diagnostics, said: “We believe our approach of using liquid biopsy to detect and monitor cancers in dogs to be the first application of this type of technology to veterinary diagnostics in the UK and Europe.
“It will help improve the disease monitoring for affected pets and their owners, while also providing vets with a novel, minimally invasive and quick to perform diagnostic test.
“We anticipate that further development could lead to sophisticated diagnosis and personalised treatments, including specific products for particular breeds, in future.”
CanCan Diagnostics has been refining the technology for several years, since the idea was first developed by Maciej as part of a project funded by the Dogs Trust Canine Welfare Grant.
Supported by Edinburgh Innovations, the University of Edinburgh’s commercialisation service, Maciej’s team received a BBSRC Campus Innovation Account Award and an ICURe Innovate UK grant to commercialise the technology and spin out into a company.
The company has also recently secured pre-seed funding from Advanced Genomics Limited and a private investor.
Market research indicates a positive response from veterinary oncologists and primary care veterinarians to this type of test.
The team hopes to take their product to market early next year, and plans to offer additional tests to enhance diagnosis and personalise treatment for pets with cancer.
