University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine Oncology Program are collaborating to conduct cancer research focused on how similarities in cancers in both humans and companion animals can contribute to furthering research in both areas.

The Side by Side in Cancer Research collaboration is a unique program that provides opportunities for cancer researchers at both institutions to meet and discuss collaborative efforts. It also offers pilot research funding to help teams of researchers from both institutions conduct cancer research on the most promising collaborative cancer research projects with the potential to help both two-legged and four-legged cancer patients.