Canine Detection Reliability
We have developed training methods that have resulted in a high degree of accuracy in the detection of thyroid cancer. We started our investigations in thyroid cancer for several reasons. First, it is rapidly becoming one of the 4 most common cancers throughout the world. Second, it is often a difficult process to clinically diagnose thyroid cancer. Third, our unique
investigative team permitted access to thyroid cancer patients, which permitted the scientific development of our methodology. Our goal is to apply what we learn through investigations in thyroid cancer to other forms of cancer such as, but not limited to, ovarian, breast, prostate, colorectal, pancreatic, lung, and liver. Our recent work, published in VideoEndocrinology [Ferrando AA, Hinson, AM, Wilkerson BM, Stack BC, Jr, Bodenner DL Canine Detection of Metastatic Thyroid Cancer VideoEndocrinology 2014; 4(1). http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/ve.2014.0015] demonstrated that in our hands, dogs are 97% accurate in discriminating cancer in the urine of thyroid cancer patients. Further, the dogs were 97% accurate in the determination of non-cancerous samples. Utilizing blood, the dogs were 100% accurate in determining both cancer and benign (non-cancerous) samples. In other words, the dogs can be taught to distinguish both cancerous and non-cancerous patient samples with a high degree of accuracy and reliability.
2. Prospectively Diagnosing cancer
We have presented data at the 2015 Endocrine Society National Meeting that was both innovative and pioneering. When patients first presented to the thyroid clinic, urine and blood samples were obtained and examined by Frankie in a double-blinded manner (In other words, neither the handler or experimenter knew the sample status). His examination answers were then compared to the standard clinical diagnoses. Frankie’s answers agreed with clinical diagnosis in 30 out of 34 samples (88.2% accuracy). While we are continuing this work, it is commonly accepted that up to 25% of initial clinical diagnosis of thyroid cancer are inaccurate or indeterminate. This work indicates the potential for trained canines in helping doctors improve the accuracy of cancer diagnosis.
3. The Future
We have recently entered into a collaborative partnership with the Canine Performance Sciences (CPS) division of the Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine. CPS represents a 25-year research, development, and operational pedigree focused on enhancing the use of dogs for biochemical sensing. CPS expertise ranges from basic laboratory studies, to applied (field) research/testing/evaluation, to innovation in detection dog development, to operational training/outreach. CPS expertise has been repeatedly called upon by numerous US government agencies, including the DOD, DARPA, Homeland Security, TSA, Customs, Energy, Federal Protection Services, and US Capitol Police, to name a few. Through our combined methodology, we will develop a prototype operational system for sample screening of targeted cancers by dogs. We will also compare the results of general-sourced dogs (privately owned; working or service dogs; rehabilitated shelter dogs) studied at UAMS, to purpose-sourced dogs (bred and raised for maximal potential as detector dogs) studied at Auburn/CPS.
