Rowan J. Milner, BVSc(Hons), MMedVet, Ph.D., DACVIM, DECVIM
Hill’s Endowed Professor of Oncology, Director of Clinical and Translational Research,
UF College of Veterinary Medicine
The incidence of cancers in dogs and cats of 381 and 264 cats per 100,000 individuals respectively is comparable with human rates of 300 per 100,000 humans (NCI SEER program). This translates into 55-60 million dogs at risk for cancer. Furthermore, using new technology genome-wide association study (GWAS) we now know that certain common cancers share remarkably similar genetic changes with humans, these included pediatric cancer such as osteosarcoma. Additionally, dogs have a greater incidence of these cancers with a shorter biological time line. Thus, our best friends share not only our homes with us, they also provide a research stepping stone on the road to improved treatments for human cancer. At the University of Florida, we have successfully run Immunotherapy Clinical Trails in Brain tumors (glioblastoma multiforme), and now osteosarcoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth in cats.
Rowan J. Milner is a board-certified veterinary medical oncologist with a Ph.D. in translational cancer research from the University of Pretoria. His research includes immunotherapy clinical trials in canines with osteosarcoma, melanoma and hemangiosarcoma.
Core Standards
SC.912.L.14.6
Explain the significance of genetic factors, environmental factors, and pathogenic agents to health from the perspectives of both individual and public health.
SC.912.L.14.12
Describe the anatomy and histology of bone tissue.
SC.912.L.16.3
Describe the basic process of DNA replication and how it relates to the transmission and conservation of the genetic information.
SC.912.L.16.4
Explain how mutations in the DNA sequence may or may not result in phenotypic change. Explain how mutations in gametes may result in phenotypic changes in offspring.
SC.912.L.16.6
Discuss the mechanisms for regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes at transcription and translation level.
SC.912.L.16.8
Explain the relationship between mutation, cell cycle, and uncontrolled cell growth potentially resulting in cancer.
SC.912.L.16.9
Explain how and why the genetic code is universal and is common to almost all organisms.
SC.912.L.16.10
Evaluate the impact of biotechnology on the individual, society and the environment, including medical and ethical issues.
SC.912.N.1.3
Recognize that the strength or usefulness of a scientific claim is evaluated through scientific argumentation, which depends on critical and logical thinking, and the active consideration of alternative scientific explanations to explain the data presented.