The team aims to identify the biological markers that show whether the cancer is likely to spread.

Findings could lead to better outcomes for canine patients.

Vets at the University of Edinburgh are seeking new treatments for canine oral malignant melanoma.

One of the most common types of mouth cancer affecting dogs, it hoped the identification of new drugs could enhance the outcome for patients diagnosed with this devastating disease.

Building on previous research, the study will see scientists from the University’s Hospital for Small Animals, the Roslin Institute and the MRC Human Genetics Unit at the Institute of Genetics and Cancer, study cancerous tissue samples from laboratories from across the globe. 

The team will identify the biological markers that show whether the cancer is likely to spread and grow tissue samples from diseased cells in the laboratory from which to test new treatments.

Dr Kelly Blacklock, a senior lecturer in small animal soft tissue surgery, said: “There is much to discover about the development of canine oral melanoma, for example how it may differ between breeds, its impact on various tissues or location within the mouth. 

“Identifying sub-types of this disease can help to inform our understanding how spread progresses, so that more effective potential drug targets, tailored to a sub-type, if necessary, can be identified.”

Funded by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, scientists hope the study will make way for more personalised, precision canine medicine.The team also hopes to build a living biobank of organoids derived from dog tissue as a platform for screening drugs to prevent cancer spread. 

Reverend Bill King, chairman of The Kennel Club Charitable Trust, said: “We are proud to be supporting this important research, which could change lives of thousands of dogs in the future. More personalised medicine can bring better results, helping to stop the spread and save canine lives. 

“It is important more is invested in research like this to better understand canine diseases and give us better tools to fight them, and I am looking forward to learning about the findings of this research.”