It’s a very prestigious award. It’s satisfying to see someone you’ve mentored and trained succeed and for their success to be validated and recognized by members of the oncology community. I couldn’t have been more proud.
Harrington Oncology Service Represents at the Annual Veterinary Cancer Society Conference
Eleven faculty, residents, and veterinary technicians from Foster Hospital attended, including two VCS board members, three presenters, and an award-winner
The Veterinary Cancer Society (VCS) hosted its largest annual conference yet, including an impressive contingency from Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Four faculty members, four residents, and three veterinary technicians from Henry and Lois Foster Hospital for Small Animals’ Harrington Oncology Service were quite busy at the 2024 VCS Annual Conference, connecting with colleagues from other institutions, learning about the latest advances, and sharing the plethora of research happening at Cummings School. Among the four presentations delivered by the Cummings School team, oncology resident Dr. Sarah Adrianowycz, V20, won the VCS Robert S. Brody Award for Outstanding Oral Presentation.
More than 780 veterinary professionals attended the VCS Conference this past October in Orlando, Florida. Team members from the Harrington Oncology Service—encompassing medical oncology, radiation oncology, and clinical trials—regularly attend the conference. This year was remarkable for their depth of involvement in the event and governance in the organization.
“The VCS Conference has always been a place where we can learn about both cutting-edge research and practical applications for treating common cancers,” says Dr. Carrie Wood (she/her), assistant clinical professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences and section head of oncology at Foster Hospital for Small Animals (FHSA) at Cummings School. “We had a lot of fun, too.”
Wood has been involved with the nonprofit for more than 25 years and is currently an executive board member at large for VCS. The resident member at large for VCS also hails from Cummings School; Dr. Caitlin Jozwiak (she/her), small animal medical oncology resident in the Department of Clinical Sciences, liaises between residents and interns and the VCS executive board, and is the spokesperson for VCS trainees.
Wood notes that VCS is unique in that it applies to many different specialties. Consequently, the conference pulls in a diverse audience, from internists to pathologists to specialized oncologists, from students to clinicians. In line with its focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, VCS designated the theme of this year’s meeting as “Cancer Doesn’t Discriminate,” highlighting that it can affect anyone.
The VCS Conference showcases advances in the field, including four presentations this year on the veterinary oncology research taking place in Cummings School labs. Adrianowycz (she/her), an oncology resident at FHSA in the Department of Clinical Sciences, presented research on how canine osteosarcoma (bone cancer) of the jaw is molecularly different from osteosarcomas found in other parts of the body. She explains that the aim of the study, led by Dr. Heather Gardner, assistant professor in the Departments of Clinical Sciences and Comparative Pathobiology at Cummings School, is to analyze osteosarcomas at the molecular level to develop more advanced treatments and targeting therapies. Though rare in humans, this type of cancer is most often seen in teenagers, and treatment options are limited. Adrianowycz’s presentation, “Genetic alterations do not differentiate canine oral and appendicular osteosarcoma,” won VCS’s Robert S. Brody Award for Outstanding Oral Presentation.
“It’s a very prestigious award,” says Wood. “It’s satisfying to see someone you’ve mentored and trained succeed and for their success to be validated and recognized by members of the oncology community. I couldn’t have been more proud.”
While earning her D.V.M. at Cummings School, Adrianowycz twice participated in the Summer Research Program and presented at Cummings School’s Annual Veterinary Research Day. This was her first formal presentation in front of such a large audience. She appreciated the opportunity to present, the honor of receiving the award and being a part of the oncology department at Cummings School.
“We have a phenomenal team,” says Adrianowycz. “The faculty is really supportive. I consider the vet techs and support staff to be my friends as well. It’s been a wonderful experience.”
Two faculty members also delivered presentations at this year’s conference. Gardner presented her research on mutations in osteosarcoma. Dr. Cheryl London, associate dean for Research and Graduate Education, Anne Engen and Dusty Professor in Comparative Oncology and professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at Cummings School, spoke to oncology residents about cancer immunology to help prepare for the specialty board exams. Her second presentation focused on a new veterinary cancer drug currently in clinical trials at Cummings School.
Dr. Jennifer Mahoney, associate clinical professor of medical oncology at FHSA in the Department of Clinical Sciences and director of the residency program at Cummings School, led a resident roundtable at the conference, with much of the Oncology Team in attendance to meet with prospective candidates.
“I always love to have our program and our group’s success highlighted to recruit quality new members and residents to the team,” says Wood. “VCS is one place we can meet with those resident candidates in person and also maintain a high profile for the Harrington Oncology program.”
Jozwiak was selected from a competitive field to present a poster at the conference on research she conducted with Dr. Mahoney, studying potential prognostic markers for cats diagnosed with high-grade alimentary lymphoma. She says of her role as a VCS resident member at large, “Holding this elected position is truly an honor. I am able to engage in important conversations within our industry that I would not have otherwise had exposure to, such as conference programming and trainee engagement opportunities. Overall, I have really enjoyed my time as the resident member at large and am looking forward to the next year of growing in this position.”
Wood stresses the value of sharing the important research coming out of Cummings School at the VCS Conference, as well as for faculty, residents, and veterinary technicians to connect with and learn from others in the field. “It’s an opportunity to get the perspective of leaders in other areas and universities, to get their opinions on treatments, what’s working and what’s not working.”
Adrianowycz agrees, “It’s a very unifying experience chatting with other vets and vet techs throughout the profession—it’s a good exchange of ideas.”
The Harrington Oncology Service plays an integral role in that exchange of ideas through VCS and in advancing the field of veterinary oncology through clinical practice and research at Cummings School.
Department:
Foster Hospital for Small Animals