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Artist representation of DNA and biological structures

COOL - Research

Understanding

The first arm of COOL activities is to understand oral tumors. We study how they originate, and what they depend upon for survival. We use both cutting-edge techniques, like spatial transcriptomics, and tried and true experiments like Western blotting, to attack cancer from every perspective. By increasing our understanding, we improve our ability to diagnose and treat tumors.
 

  1. Chu, Skidmore, Warren, Fisk, Kim, Peralta, Rodney, Bryant, Fronick, Skinner, Bell, Gruber, Bartl-Wilson, Neiberg, Bilyk, Coffman, Wischmann, Beckemen, Fischer, Flaum, Crouch, Montrose, Hoernig, Griffith, Bryan, Griffith. Whole exome sequencing of feline oral squamous cell carcinoma reveals genomic parallels with human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Vet. Comp. Oncol. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1111/vco.70054
  2. Peralta, Duhamel, Katt, Heikinheimo, Miller, Ahmed, McCleary-Wheeler, & Grenier. Comparative transcriptional profiling of canine acanthomatous ameloblastoma and homology with human ameloblastoma. Sci. Rep. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-97430-0
  3. Peralta, McCleary-Wheeler, Dumael, Heikinheimo, & Grenier. Ultra-frequent HRAS p.Q61R somatic mutation in canine acanthomatous ameloblastoma reveals pathogenic similarities with human ameloblastoma. Vet. Comp. Oncol. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1111/vco.12487

Diagnosis

One of the greatest challenges in oral oncology is differentiating one type of tumor from another. This key step underpins every other aspect of oncological science, from correctly cataloguing a tumor into its correct class to determining an optimal way to treat the tumor. By improving our diagnostic abilities, we improve our ability to understand tumors and to provide the best possible treatment.
 

  1. Peralta, Marcinczyk, Katt, & Duhamel. Confirmation of canine acanthomatous ameloblastoma using RAS Q61R immunohistochemical staining of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. Front. Vet. Sci. 2023. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1281022
  2. Peralta, Webb, Katt, Grenier, & Duhamel. Highly recurrent BRAF p.v595E mutation in canine papillary oral squamous cell carcinoma. Vet. Comp. Oncol. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1111/vco.12869.
  3. Peralta, Grenier, McCleary-Wheeler, & Duhamel. Ki67 labelling index of neoplastic epithelial cells differentiates canine acanthomatous ameloblastoma from oral squamous cell carcinoma. J. Comp. Path. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcpa.2019.08.001

Treatment

Ultimately, we study cancer in order to cure cancer. Patients arrive in clinics around the world every day desperate for a cure, and we’re doing our best to serve all patient populations, including both humans and the animals who share their world and their lives. But it doesn’t stop there. As we develop and test new treatments, that informs our understanding of oral cancer, and even improves our ability to diagnose the disease, as we discover which diagnostic criteria are most predictive for sensitivity to any given treatment approach.

  1. Katt, Balkman, Butler, Byron, Carney, Todd-Donato, Drozd, Duhamel, Evans, Fiani, Ford, Grenier, Hayward, Heikinheimo, Hume, Moore, Puri, Sylvester, Warshaw, Webb, White, Wright, Cerione, & Peralta. The MEK inhibitor trametinib is effective in inhibiting the growth of canine oral squamous cell carcinoma. Sci. Rep. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-90574-3
  2. Katt, Balkman, Byron, Carney, Chrostek, Drozd, Duhamel, Fiani, Hume, King, Sylvester, Todd-Donato, Winokur, Wright, & Peralta. Clinical application of the MEK inhibitor trametinib in dogs with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Vet. Oncol. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1186/s44356-025-00042-3