Osteosarcoma is the most common form of malignant bone cancer in dogs. This type of cancer is also the primary form of bone cancer in children. Although osteosarcoma is rare in humans, it is significantly more common in dogs. The estimated incidence in dogs is ten times the incidence in humans (across all ages).
The similarities of osteosarcoma in humans and dogs are remarkable. Although osteosarcoma can develop in any bone, the limbs account for the majority of all affected bones in humans and dogs. Approximately 75% of canine osteosarcoma occurs in the legs. In humans, osteosarcoma affects long bones in up to 90% of the cases.
The current treatment for osteosarcoma includes multidrug chemotherapy and aggressive surgical techniques. Due to the similarities of osteosarcoma in humans and dogs, and the higher numbers of osteosarcoma in dogs, scientists can study this naturally occurring disease in dogs and then use that knowledge to treat human patients. For example, studies in dogs have already contributed to advances in limb-sparing surgeries. Also, studies on targeted therapy and immunotherapy conducted in dogs have greatly informed human clinical trials for patients with osteosarcoma.
Unfortunately, despite aggressive treatment, no improvement in survival has been achieved in the past 15 years with 30-40 % of children and more than 90% of dogs still dying from osteosarcoma. These numbers highlight the urgency to find better treatments.
The integration of companion dogs in clinical trials and collaboration between researchers from human and veterinary medicine can help us understand these aggressive cancers and lead to advancements in the care of both children and dogs affected by osteosarcoma.
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