Finding New Ways to Detect and Treat Equine Melanoma

SUMMARY: Researchers will use the latest molecular biology techniques to look for melanoma biomarkers in blood and examine tumor tissue for new potential treatment targets.

THE PROBLEM: Melanoma is a common type of skin cancer in horses, especially in grey ones, with up to 80% affected. It usually starts as a small, firm, round lump on the skin but can grow quickly and spread to other parts of the body. Often, by the time it is noticed, the cancer is quite advanced. This causes significant discomfort for the horse and makes successful treatment harder. Therefore, many otherwise healthy horses are euthanized prematurely. A better way to detect and treat these tumors could help the thousands of horses affected by melanoma each year.

THE PROJECT: A liquid biopsy is a test that checks the blood for cancer cells. It’s a non-invasive way to learn about an animal’s health, and developing this type of test to detect melanoma early could not only help with treatment but also provide a new way to monitor therapy.

The current way to treat melanoma in horses is through surgery to remove the tumor. However, the cancer returns in about half of the cases because it’s hard to tell melanoma apart from normal tissue. New treatments could greatly improve the chances for horses with melanoma but finding these treatments is difficult because veterinarians don’t understand the cancer well enough at the molecular level. The team’s plan is to combine this molecular research with developing a liquid biopsy test. This approach aims to improve early detection and create better, more precise treatments for horses with melanoma.

POTENTIAL IMPACT: If successful, this project could improve understanding of melanoma at the molecular level and develop a new, non-invasive test for early detection. The team’s aim is to improve the outcome and quality of life of horses affected by this challenging disease, ultimately reducing the need for early euthanasia and reducing the emotional burden on horse owners.