melanoma | Horse Racing Free Tips

Horses With Vitiligo May Be More Susceptible To Cancer

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease that causes patches of skin to lose melanocytes, which give the skin its color. Grey horses are primarily affected by this condition around their eyes, muzzle and anus; vitiligo gives the skin a mottled appearance. Scientists who have identified the genes most likely to cause the disorder say that the same genes may also play a role in melanoma risk.

Humans affected by vitiligo have multiple genes involved in the disease – up to 322 of them. Several of these genes have been shown to be involved in malignant melanoma susceptibility in humans.

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Equine research has not shown what genes cause the disorder in horses. Dr. Thomas Druml and researchers from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, the University of Sydney, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, the Slovak University of Agriculture, and the University of Paris-Saclay used genetic data from 152 Lipizzaners and 104 solid-colored Norikers (an Austrian draft horse) to try to identify the genes involved in the disorder.

The scientists visually inspected study horses for vitiligo and found that 33 of the Lipizzaners (21.7 percent) had the condition. Upon investigation, they found several candidate genes on four chromosomes that seemed to play a role in vitiligo development in grey horses. Four of the genes are associated with the immune system and four play a role in tumor suppression and metastasis, which is how cancer cells spread.

The researchers also found that grey horses with a particular gene mutation (STX17) are more likely to develop melanoma. Melanoma occurs in 46.1 to 50 percent of grey Lipizzaners.

The scientists concluded that a relationship exists between the depigmentation phenotype and melanoma in grey horses. They recommend more gene-specific expression and replication studies be completed on different breeds.

Read the study here.

Specific Plants Show Promise In Reducing Equine Tumors

Equine sarcoids are the most prevalent skin tumors in horses, followed by malignant melanomas. Currently, there are minimal therapies available that locally target either tumor.

Drs. Lisa Annabel Weber, Anne Funtan, Reinhard Paschke, Julien Delarocque, Jutta Kalbitz, Jessica Meißner, Karsten Feige, Manfred Kietzmann and Jessika-Maximiliane Cavalleri created a study to determine if acid derived from some plants would kill the cancer cells.

They determined that flowering quince, white birch, rosemary and members of the persimmon family can be used to make an acid that kills cancer cells by directly effecting their mitochondria.

Betulinic acid occurs when betulin is oxidized; the researchers created a study to see if botulin and betulinic acid worked as a topical treatment possibility against sarcoids and melanomas. After being treated for 48 hours, the number of necrotic cells was less than 2 percent in both melanoma and sarcoid cells.

They determined that both botulin and betulinic acid inhibited the growth of sarcoid and melanoma cells in a lab setting. They recommend that additional studies be done in live horses to fully assess the anti-tumor effects of topically applied acid. Treatment regimens including short application intervals for long lengths of time could make the acid more concentrated and effective.

Read the full study here.

Fund Established for Children of Keeneland’s McKee

A fund has been established for the benefit of the children of Katherine McKee, who died July 27 after a three-year battle with melanoma. She was 40 years old.

McKee had worked at Keeneland for 15 years, most recently serving as the director of racing administration, where she was the company’s primary contact for horsemen.

“For nearly three years, Katherine has battled advanced melanoma defying odds from the beginning,” said Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason in a statement sent to Keeneland staff and trainers. “Besides her unwavering grace, commitment and eternal optimism, Katherine miraculously overcame medical hurdles that would cripple even the strongest. Her courage and determination are unmatched and a testament to the power of positivity.

“As Katherine’s family grieves this tremendous loss, I know many of you want to celebrate her life and the impact she has made on all of us. Below are details on a memorial fund as well as the address for Katherine’s parents as we support them through this unfathomable time.”

For the benefit of her children, donations can be made to the McKee Memorial Trust c/o Keeneland Association, PO Box 1690, Lexington, KY 40588, or through Keeneland’s website at www.keeneland.com/mckee

The daughter of Herb and Kass McKee, Katherine was born and raised in Henderson, Kentucky along with her brother Herbie McKee. Katherine found her home when she moved to Lexington to begin her degree at Transylvania University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.

McKee had recently been a part of a clinical trial at the University of Louisville, where she saw some initial success before facing complications.

She leaves behind two young children, Ava and Walker.

“Katherine had a way of touching everyone and no matter how long it had been since you last talked, you always picked up where you left off,” Thomason’s statement read. “Her ability to love, her authenticity, spirit, humor, openness and her forever caring and selfless heart create the legacy we will never forget. Second to her family, this team meant the most to her. With 15 years here, she loved Keeneland, the horsemen, her team and the entire Keeneland family. While she felt privileged to work at this great place, we are the ones who are truly privileged. It has been an honor to work alongside such an extraordinary person. She is a true inspiration.”

A celebration of her life will be announced at a later date.

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