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 ----------------------------- 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)
