Purdue Scientists Join in Launch of Cloud-based Canine Cancer Database to Benefit Humans and Their Best Friends

The National Cancer Institute has announced the development of the Integrated Canine Data Commons (ICDC), which has significant ties to the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. Developed by the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, the cloud-based repository of spontaneously arising canine cancer data was created with the goal of advancing human cancer research by enabling comparative analysis of canine cancer. Dr. Deborah Knapp, Distinguished Professor and the Dolores L. McCall Professor of Comparative Oncology in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, serves on the Steering Committee for the ICDC, as one of the external researchers from institutions of higher education invited to participate.

The cloud-based repository of spontaneously arising canine cancer data was created with the goal of advancing human cancer research by enabling comparative analysis of canine cancer.

“Many different types of information on dog tumors, including genomics, pathology, clinical features, and case outcomes can be deposited into the ICDC,” Dr. Knapp explains. “Scientists from all over the world can study the information from dogs and compare it with human cancer patient data from the Cancer Research Data Commons. This is expected to lead to a much better understanding of the similarities and differences between canine and human cancer and better outcomes for cancer patients in both species.” Dr. Knapp adds, “It is an honor to participate with top scientists at the National Cancer Institute who are leading this effort.”  

In addition to Dr. Knapp, other scientists from Purdue have been involved, specifically in contributing two of the initial data sets in the ICDC. Dr. Deepika Dhawan, oncology research scientist in the Purdue Comparative Oncology Program, and Dr. Sagar Utturkar, senior bioinformatics scientist in the Bindley Bioscience Center, have been heavily involved in compiling, analyzing, and formatting the Purdue data the team has contributed to the ICDC. Dr. Tim Ratliff, Distinguished Professor of Comparative Pathobiology and the Robert Wallace Miller Director of the Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, was instrumental in connecting the Purdue team to the program.

The ICDC and its website were publicly launched August 26, 2020 in conjunction with National Dog Day. Click here to learn more.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the federal government’s principal agency for cancer research and training. The NCI coordinates the United States National Cancer Program and is part of the National Institutes of Health, which is one of eleven agencies that are part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The ICDC is part of the Cancer Research Data Commons (CRDC), an initiative from NCI’s Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology (CBIIT). Learn more at cancer.gov.

Writer(s): Allison Carey | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

“Paws Up” – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

Today we’re sending a big “High Five” to Emma Wood, who is a Medical Oncology Client Liaison and the Client Liaison Team Lead for the Purdue Small Animal Reception Team, for the supportive energy she brings to her work every day.

In Memory: Former Veterinary Medical Library Staff Member Tonya Mull 

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community is saddened to learn that Tonya R. Mull of Lafayette, Indiana, who served as a longtime Purdue Libraries staff member, including multiple years as a staff member in the Veterinary Medical Library, passed away October 18 at Franciscan Health Lafayette East.  She was 59.

PVM Symposium Offers MOAAR Education on Medicine of Aquatics, Amphibians and Reptiles

Veterinary professionals and students gathered recently at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine to take advantage of a special opportunity to enhance their knowledge and expertise about the care and treatment of aquatic, amphibian, and reptilian species. The fifth biennial Medicine of Aquatics, Amphibians, and Reptiles (MOAAR) Symposium was held October 18–19, at Lynn Hall on Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus, bringing together veterinarians, veterinary technicians, students, and experts dedicated to the care of exotic species.

Local Veterinary Celebration Highlights Global Veterinary Education

Going global is a popular ambition in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine as evidenced by the turnout for the college’s annual Global Engagement Fair last Friday, October 17. Held in the Veterinary Medical Library in Lynn Hall, the festive event featured international cuisine and displays about various study abroad opportunities available to Purdue DVM and Veterinary Technology students.