MRes - Epidemiology of lymphoma in dogs
Lead RVC Supervisor: Prof Dave Brodbelt, Dr Collette Taylor, Dr Dan O’Neill and Dr Sandra Guillen
Department: Pathobiology and Population Sciences and Clinical Science and Services
Background, aims and objectives:
Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in dogs and Golden Retrievers have been identified at increased risk for a number of cancers (Torres de la Riva et al. 2013, Boerkamp et al. 2014, Shoop et al. 2015, Edmunds et al. 2021). Over the last decade, Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) has established a lifetime cohort of Golden Retrievers (GRLS) in the US (Guy et al. 2015). This cohort is now nearing the end of its life and has identified lymphoma as a major tumour of this breed. Describing the clinical management and identifying signalment and lifestyle risk factors for lymphoma in this common breed could help understand the nature and progression of this important cancer.
In the UK, VetCompass has undertaken a number of cancer epidemiology studies (Shoop et al. 2015, O'Neill et al. 2018, Pittaway et al. 2019, Edmunds et al. 2021). Previous work has explored the epidemiology of lymphoma in dogs in VetCompass (Pittaway et al. 2019, Schofield et al. 2019) but these studies evaluated VetCompass dogs from a cohort that is now over 10 years old. The current project aims to evaluate major animal and lifestyle risk factors for lymphoma in Golden Retrievers and contextualise these findings in the wider dog population within VetCompass.
Objectives
- To estimate the frequency of lymphoma in the dogs in the UK within VetCompass.
- Identify major breed associations for diagnosis of lymphoma in the UK.
- Evaluate lifestyle and animal factors for lymphoma in Golden Retrievers in the Golden Retriever lifetime cohort
Methods
Using the GRLS cohort of approximately 3,000 Golden Retrievers with a complete life history, the incidence of lymphoma will be estimated. Diagnosis will be based on owner reported cancer confirmed by veterinary diagnosis and evidence of further tests and animal and lifestyle risk factors explored. Risk factors exploration will be derived from data from the yearly owner and veterinarian questionnaires and will focus on animal lifestyle (diet, activity, home environment). In the VetCompass study, cases of lymphoma will be identified from the electronic health records of dogs under veterinary care within VetCompass during 2023. Incidence of lymphoma will be estimated and signalment risk factors for diagnoses evaluated. In both studies, risk factors will be explored in multivariable logistic regression models. Statistical significance will be set at the 5% level.
Timelines
This 10 month project will run two studies in parallel. The VetCompass study data are ready to analyse and this will be undertaken after a literature review during the first 4 months of the project. In parallel, cleaning of the US Golden Retriever data will be undertaken and analysis undertaken in the second 4 months of the project. The final two months will allow for final write up and manuscript preparation.
References
- Boerkamp, K., E. Teske, L. Boon, G. Grinwis, L. van den Bossche and G. Rutteman (2014). "Estimated incidence rate and distribution of tumours in 4,653 cases of archival submissions derived from the Dutch golden retriever population." BMC Veterinary Research 10(1): 34.
- Guy, M. K., R. L. Page, W. A. Jensen, P. N. Olson, J. D. Haworth, E. E. Searfoss and D. E. Brown (2015). "The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study: establishing an observational cohort study with translational relevance for human health." Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences 370(1673).
- O'Neill, D. G., C. H. Corah, D. B. Church, D. C. Brodbelt and L. Rutherford (2018). "Lipoma in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK: prevalence and breed associations." Canine Genetics and Epidemiology 5(1): 9.
- Pittaway, C., I. Schofield, J. Dobson, D. G. O'Neill and D. C. Brodbelt (2019). "Incidence and risk factors for the diagnosis of lymphoma in dogs in UK primary-care practice." Journal of Small Animal Practice. 60(10):581-588.
- Shoop, S., S. Marlow, D. Church, K. English, P. McGreevy, A. Stell, P. Thomson, D. O'Neill and D. Brodbelt (2015). "Prevalence and risk factors for mast cell tumours in dogs in England." Canine Genetics and Epidemiology 2(1): 1.
- Torres de la Riva, G., B. L. Hart, T. B. Farver, A. M. Oberbauer, L. L. M. Messam, N. Willits and L. A. Hart (2013). "Neutering Dogs: Effects on Joint Disorders and Cancers in Golden Retrievers." PLoS ONE 8(2): e55937.
Requirements
Essential:
- Must meet our standard MRes entry requirements.
- Do not need to be a vet or have an epidemiological background but must have a background in animal science.
Desirable:
- Experience of primary-care veterinary practice.
- A primary degree in veterinary medicine.
- Clinical experience and interest in oncology.
- Experience of epidemiology
Fees and Funding
This can be taken full-time or part-time (12months FTE) project commencing ¾±²Ô October 2025, based at RVC's Hawkshead campus.
The project costs and “É«ÇéÖ±²¥app” tuition fees are covered by funding from VetCompass.
International applicants are welcome to apply but must be able to fund the difference between "É«ÇéÖ±²¥app" and "Overseas" tuition fees.
Please note that EU/EEA and Swiss national students may no longer be eligible for the “É«ÇéÖ±²¥app” rate of tuition fees, dependent on personal circumstances (including immigration status and residence history in the UK) and UK government rules which are currently being developed. For up-to-date information on fees for EU/EEA and Swiss national students following Brexit please see our fees and funding p²¹²µ±ð.&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
How to Apply
For more information on the application process and English Language requirements see How to Apply.
Deadline: 04/04/2025
Interviews will take place remotely (Teams, Zoom etc) within 4 weeks of the closing date.
We welcome informal enquiries - these should be directed to Dave Brodbelt (dbrodbelt@rvc.ac.uk)