Hemangiosarcoma is one of the most heartbreaking cancers families face with their dogs. It strikes without warning, often in dogs who seemed completely healthy the day before. For decades, the field believed this disease began in the cells that line blood vessels, called endothelial cells, which led to a narrow view of how it develops and how it could be treated. Sadly, for most dogs, the assumptions were incorrect and the treatments failed. Our work is changing that story.
Beginning in the early 2000s and continuing through our most recent discoveries, our team showed that hemangiosarcoma does not start from endothelial cells. Instead, it originates from primitive cells in the bone marrow that aid in the development of different types of tissues. This shift in understanding transformed the field and opened the door to new possibilities for earlier detection, more effective treatment, and most importantly, prevention.
As we dug deeper, another insight emerged that reshaped everything about this condition: hemangiosarcoma is not a single disease. It is a group of related cancers, each with its own molecular “signature.” Some tumors are driven by rapid cell division, while others are shaped by stronger immune activity in the tumor environment. These differences cannot be seen under a microscope, yet they influence how the disease progresses, how dogs respond to treatment, and how long they live. We have shown that identifying these hidden subtypes is feasible and could soon be used to help guide treatment decisions, giving families more clarity at a time when they have very little.
Through this work, we also discovered that cancer risk is not determined only by mutations in cells. It is shaped by the body’s internal environment; a whole system that becomes more, or less “permissive” to cancer depending on stress, inflammation, immune balance, and aging. This realization led us to create new ways to detect risk before disease appears, using subtle molecular signals from blood and advanced analytical tools. These are the building blocks of true cancer prevention.
Along the way, we have evaluated many ideas that families explore on their own, including supplements and alternative therapies. Despite hopeful anecdotes, there is no clear or objective evidence that these approaches are effective in preventing or treating hemangiosarcoma. In fact, published studies show that some of the most popular remedies offer no measurable benefit. We share this not to diminish anyone’s hopes, but to reinforce why rigorous, science-based strategies are essential if we want real change.
All this progress created the foundation for Shine On, our most ambitious project to date. Shine On tests a simple but powerful idea: if we can identify dogs who are entering a cancer permissive state, we may be able to intervene before cancer develops. We built the first practical system to detect risk in healthy dogs. And for the first time, we are testing a preventive approach using a targeted drug called eBAT. Early data show promise, suggesting that eBAT may prevent or delay cancer in dogs who are at high risk. If this continues to hold true, it will be one of the first successful demonstrations of strategic cancer prevention in companion animals or humans!
Our work has changed how the animal health and scientific communities think about hemangiosarcoma. It redefined the origin of the disease. It uncovered distinct subtypes that matter for treatment and prognosis. It revealed the systemic conditions that allow cancer to develop. It created new tools for early detection. And now, it is charting a path toward prevention.
Your support will help drive the next breakthrough. With your partnership, we can move beyond reacting to a devastating diagnosis and instead build a future where we detect risk early, intervene meaningfully, and prevent the disease before it takes the lives of dogs we love. We are closer to that future than ever before, and with your help, we can reach it.