Canine lymphomas are common cancers in dogs. They account for approximately 7 to 14% of all cancers diagnosed in dogs. Since over 30 types of canine lymphomas have been described, they are considered a group of tumors.
Canine lymphomas are similar in many characteristics to a type of lymphoma that occurs in humans named non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). About 250,000 cases of canine lymphoma were diagnosed in 2014. In the same period, approximately 71,000 cases of human non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma were diagnosed in the USA. These numbers emphasize the critical need for better treatments.
Canine lymphoma resembles human lymphoma in many vital ways, including characteristic genetic changes, molecular abnormalities and similar responses to chemotherapy, radiation, and newer therapies. The high level of similarity between canine and human lymphoma has been extremely helpful in understanding the disease in both species.
There is growing evidence that confirms the molecular and clinical similarities between human and canine lymphoma. A great example of this is highlighted by the work performed by Dr. Jessica Alföldi’s research group at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. This group selected three breeds that are predisposed to develop lymphoma (boxer, golden retriever and cocker spaniel). They studied the DNA from the tumor cells from these breeds and were able to identify genes that have a critical role in human lymphoma and leukemia. They also identify genes that have been associated with other human cancers, as well as new genes.
This molecular understanding of canine cancer, could not only provide a better understanding of both canine and human lymphomas but can also help scientists and oncologists to develop new treatment options that can potentially benefit both humans and dogs. It is an exciting time, in which our exponential growth in understanding of the molecular events in lymphoma is being matched by the development of therapeutic strategies.
In the next post, we will be exploring how clinical trials can be a win-win for pets and people.
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