Epigenetics company donates cancer tests to HOPE AACR

VolitionRx Limited and its subsidiary Volition Veterinary Diagnostics Development LLC announced in October that it not only participated in the HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response Dogs (HOPE AACR) Annual Conference, but it also donated its Nu.Q Vet Cancer Test to support canines providing both emotional comfort and support to people in the US affected by crises and disasters. HOPE AACR is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization with approximately 300 teams that respond to disasters, including manmade trauma, natural disasters, and debriefs, among other services.

"We were delighted to be able to sponsor HOPE AACR's event through donating the Nu.Q Vet Cancer Test. The screening test is accessible, affordable, and easy to use. Many of the crisis canines we saw are 'high-risk' breeds, such as golden retrievers, German shepherds, beagles, and so on. Being able to offer the test to the dogs that bring comfort in challenging times has been such a privilege,” Tom Butera, DVM, CEO, Volition Veterinary, said in an organizational news release.

For canines aged 10 years or older, almost 50% of them will develop cancer, making it one of the most common causes of death in canine patients.2,3 A cancer diagnosis can be scary for pet owners, but early detection can offer them hope for better outcomes and more effective treatment options, such as minimally invasive cancer screening tests like the Nu.Q Vet Cancer Test. For dogs over the age of 7, certain breeds, such as golden retrievers, Boxers, Rottweilers, and Bernese mountain dogs, are predisposed to developing cancer, and common signs veterinary professionals can have clients and teams look out for in dogs can include3:

• Diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing or coughing
• Lethargy
• Limping or lameness
• Lumps or bumps that grow or change
• Unexplained weight loss
• Vomiting

Along with testing, early detection can also rely on preventive care. Veterinary teams can help clients stay on top of their pet's well-being by maintaining regular checkups, discussing health risks that are breed-specific, talking to clients about adding cancer screening to annual or semiannual exams, and monitoring dogs' behavior or physical changes.

"Ensuring our crisis canines are healthy is our No. 1 priority. Throughout my career in veterinary oncology, I have seen how earlier cancer detection can improve patient outcomes and also improve the quality of life of the dog and its owner,” expressed Michelle Silver, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology).

“The Nu.Q Vet Cancer Test is intended for use during regular preventive checkups of older dogs (7 years and older) or for younger dogs of high-risk breeds, and we were delighted to offer the Nu.Q Test to our crisis response canines at our annual meeting. Providing this additional screening tool allows our HOPE AACR dogs to continue to help people in their time of need,” she concluded.1

References

1. Volition Donates Nu.Q Vet Cancer Tests to HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response Dogs. News release. Volition Rx Limited. October 17, 2025. Accessed October 23, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/volition-donates-nuq-vet-cancer-tests-to-hope-animal-assisted-crisis-response-dogs-302587549.html
2. Cancer in Pets. American Veterinary Medical Association. Accessed October 23, 2025. https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/cancer-pets
3. Montgomery T. Cancer screenings for dogs: understanding why early cancer detection matters. PetMd. May 29, 2025. Accessed October 23, 2025. https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/cancer-screenings-for-dogs