Dogs Are Taking The Lead in Helping Doctors Find The Cure For Cancer

Cancer is a major health burden in companion dogs. Studies indicate that the prevalence of cancer in dogs has increased in recent years.

The increase is thought to be a result of:

🐾  growth in the population of dogs at risk for the development of cancer

🐾  an actual increase in cancer incidence

🐾  increased awareness and interest of pet owners to pursue better treatment options

Also, most companion dogs receive high-quality health care into old age. This has resulted in an increase in age-related illnesses, like cancer.

As we discussed in our previous post, not only dogs develop similar types of cancers as humans, but their cancer behaves and responds to treatments in similar ways. Research indicates that human and canine cancers share many characteristics such as tumor location, development of metastasis1, development of drug resistance and altered molecular changes. Also, scientists have found that the biological complexity of cancers in dogs, emulates that of human cancer. This suggests that similar mechanisms cause human and canine cancers.

Due to the similarities of cancer in humans and dogs, and the higher numbers of cancer in dogs, scientists can study these naturally occurring cancers in dogs and then use that knowledge to treat human patients. Canine cancer research is a powerful way to understand and better manage cancer in humans and dogs.

Based on this insight, in 2003, The National Cancer Institute (NCI) developed the NCI Comparative Oncology Program.This program allows scientists to understand cancer better and improve the evaluation of new treatments for cancer. Because there are no treatment standards for the management of cancer in dogs, this program provides pet owners and their dogs access to innovative therapeutic drugs earlier in the course of the disease. Results from these trials then go on to support the development of human clinical trials.

In upcoming posts, we will be discussing how dogs have contributed to advances in cancer treatment in humans. Our companion dogs not only are taking the lead in the fight against cancer, but they are also helping us expedite the discovery of effective therapies.