Dr. Deborah Knapp, Distinguished Professor of Comparative Oncology at Purdue University, was presented with the 2022 International Canine Health Award in the Lifetime Achievement category by The Kennel Club Charitable Trust in a ceremony conducted virtually from London.

The award recognises work that advances the health of dogs and supports research with broader clinical impact; it includes a $12,000 prize earmarked for new or continued canine research. Knapp’s programme concentrates on breed predisposition, risk factors, early detection and novel treatments for bladder cancer in dogs, which is increasingly crucial as approximately 1 in 4 dogs will develop cancer at some point in their lives, with cancer being the leading cause of death in dogs beyond middle age. Furthermore, her work emphasizes translating findings to human patients, showcasing the parallel advancements in comparative oncology that benefit both species.

The Kennel Club Charitable Trust introduced the honour during the virtual event. Dr. Andrew Higgins, Trustee of The Kennel Club Charitable Trust, said: “It was a very tight field this year with some really excellent nominations from across the world.”

Higgins highlighted the practical consequences of Knapp’s discoveries, calling her work on anti-inflammatory medications transformative: “Her work on treatment using anti-inflammatory drugs has revolutionized the management of this devastating disease.” This aligns with key breakthroughs in comparative oncology, including the development of the canine melanoma vaccine, which has provided new avenues for treatment not only in dogs but also in humans.

Knapp described how an unexpected clinical observation redirected her team’s research: “Our first research area grew out of a surprising and important observation in the clinic, the dramatic regression of advanced cancer in dogs who were only receiving a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug for pain relief, and no other drugs.” That finding, she said, prompted follow-up studies that informed broader treatment approaches for canine cancer, adding significant value to ongoing research efforts.

“I have been very fortunate to lead and work with a very talented and dedicated group of people in the field of comparative oncology research,” Knapp added, acknowledging collaborators and funders whose support helped advance the programme’s goals. For pet owners seeking specialized care, finding reputable veterinarians specializing in oncology can be accomplished by consulting board-certified specialists listed through organizations like the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

The Kennel Club Charitable Trust administers the International Canine Health Awards to recognise and support significant contributions to dog health and welfare. The Lifetime Achievement category sits alongside other awards intended to seed research and clinical innovation that benefits both pets and people.

Knapp emphasised the value of discretionary research funds in producing pivotal results: “While we have been fortunate to receive good grant support over the years, some of our most important discoveries have come from funds such as the ones appropriated with this Lifetime Achievement Award.” The $12,000 prize will go toward continuing projects in her comparative oncology programme at Purdue.

Purdue’s College of Veterinary Medicine noted that Knapp’s research links clinical observations in companion animals with systematic laboratory and clinical studies designed to improve outcomes for canine and human cancer patients; the university’s announcement provides further detail on her work and the award. In the broader context of oncology, the value of such comparative studies is underscored by ongoing efforts that explore how naturally occurring diseases in pet animals can help test and refine therapies for human medicine.

The Lifetime Achievement honour was presented during the virtual ceremony from London and underlines ongoing international interest in comparative approaches to cancer research, where naturally occurring disease in pet animals helps test and refine therapies that may translate to human medicine.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.