Canine comparative oncology for translational radiation research

Abstract

Purpose

Laboratory and clinical research are essential for advancing radiation research; however, there is a growing awareness that conventional laboratory animal models and early-phase clinical studies in patients have not improved the low success rates and late-stage failures in new cancer therapy efforts. There are considerable costs and inefficiencies in moving preclinical research into effective cancer therapies for patients. Canine translational models of radiation research can fill an important niche between rodent and human studies, ultimately providing valuable, predictive, translational biological and clinical results for human cancer patients. Companion dogs naturally and spontaneously develop cancers over the course of their lifetime. Many canine tumor types share important similarities to human disease, molecularly and biologically, with a comparable clinical course. Dogs receive state-of-the-art medical care, which can include radiotherapy, experimental therapeutics, and novel technologies, offering an important opportunity for radiobiology and radiation oncology research. Notably, the National Cancer Institute has developed the Comparative Oncology Program to promote this area of increased research interest.

Conclusion

In this review, the benefits and limitations of performing translational radiation research in companion dogs will be presented, and current research utilizing the canine model will be highlighted, including studies across research areas focusing on common canine tumor types treated with radiotherapy, comparative normal tissue effects, radiation and immunology research, and alternative radiation therapy approaches involving canine cancer patients.

Keywords:

• Canine cancer
• veterinary radiation oncology
• comparative oncology

Acknowledgements

The author thanks Ms. Maddi Funk (Colorado State University) for her assistance with figure preparation.

Disclosure statement

The author reports no conflict of interest to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This work was not directly supported by a funding agency.

Notes on contributors

Mary-Keara Boss

Mary-Keara Boss, DVM, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences and Veterinary Radiation Oncologist in the Flint Animal Cancer Center of Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America.