The Scope E-Newsletter May 2010 Dr. LeBlanc Exemplifies Translational Research

Working in the evolving field of comparative oncology, this is the level of translational research Amy LeBlanc, DVM, Director of Translational Research in the Molecular Imaging and Translational Research Program and Assistant Professor in Radiology and the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, is able to achieve through the unique collaborations and resources available only at the UT Graduate School of Medicine.

With only 28 accredited veterinary schools in the nation, UTCVM is among 19 schools in the National Cancer Institute Center for Cancer Research Comparative Oncology Trials Consortium, and was the inaugural site for the clinical trial initiation in 2005. Only three of those schools, including UTGSM, have PET (positron emission tomography) capabilities.

Amy LeBlanc, DVM "Our niche is unique," said Dr. LeBlanc. "While two other schools have access to PET scanners, no one else has the depth of knowledge that we have here with Drs. Jon Wall and George Kabalka and the expertise embedded in their respective laboratories. The Siemens connection is especially unique, it sets us apart."

Canine comparative oncology is a relatively new field of study resulting from the demand of pet owners to have specialized treatment options for their pets. Cancer is among the most common causes of illness and death in dogs, and studies have shown that canine cancers closely resemble human cancers, including tumor initiation, progression and metastatic potential.

"This gives us a spontaneous disease model to develop drug therapies and tracers," said Dr. LeBlanc. "There is nothing more applicable to human cancers."

Just as her expertise in comparative oncology is unique, so is Dr. LeBlanc's role at the Graduate School of Medicine. Combining the efforts of the Preclinical Diagnostic and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, directed by Jon Wall, PhD, and the Biomedical Imaging Center, directed by George Kabalka, PhD, with the MITRP Laboratory, Dr. LeBlanc said her role is to conduct translational research and help physicians at the medical center solve problems.

"If a physician has a question about a case or notices a similarity among cases, he or she can come to us so that we can use our resources to troubleshoot the question or help get preliminary data for a clinical trial," said Dr. LeBlanc. "Even though my background is in oncology, we work with physicians in any field from neurology to cardiology to medicine. If we don't have the resources to help, we probably know someone who does."

Dr. LeBlanc believes these partnership opportunities will lead to singular advances in how molecular imaging is used in biomedical research efforts, but more importantly, they will change lives.

"Ultimately, I see my efforts benefitting both people and animals. Back-translating our efforts to benefit companion animals and their owners is exciting. No one else gets to do that."