ACPP

At the University of Illinois, an engineer teamed up with a veterinarian to test a bone cancer drug delivery system in animals bigger than the standard animal model, the mouse. They chose dogs – mammals closer in size and biology to humans – with naturally occurring bone cancers, which also are a lot like human bone tumors.

Despite dramatic advances in diagnostics and treatment, cancer still accounts for nearly 1 in 4 U.S. deaths, as well as over half of disease-related pet mortality. Using translational approaches to discover new and effective treatments for both is the goal of new research theme Anticancer Discovery from Pets to People (ACPP) at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. Led by Professor of Chemistry Paul Hergenrother, ACPP will leverage discoveries proved in companion animals such as cats and dogs with cancer to pioneer new drugs and novel targets to treat human cancers.