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Updated: May 10, 2026

Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells
06:09

Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells

Published on: June 7, 2019

Comparative analysis of MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathway activation and inhibition in human and canine melanoma

J S Fowles1,2, C L Denton2, D L Gustafson1,2

  • 1Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.

Veterinary and Comparative Oncology
|June 11, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Canine and human melanomas share similar signaling pathway activation and drug responses, offering a valuable comparative model for cancer therapy development. This research highlights shared therapeutic targets despite histological differences.

Area of Science:

  • Comparative oncology
  • Molecular biology
  • Cancer therapeutics

Background:

  • Advanced animal models are crucial for effective cancer therapeutics development.
  • Canine and human melanomas, though histologically different, exhibit similar disease progression and therapeutic responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway dysregulation in human and canine melanoma.
  • To assess the response of human and canine melanoma cells to targeted molecular agents.

Main Methods:

  • Microarray and mutational analysis were used to investigate pathway activation.
  • Growth inhibition and cell cycle effects were evaluated using MAPK inhibitor AZD6244 and PI3K/AKT inhibitor rapamycin.

Main Results:

  • Human and canine melanomas displayed similar differential gene expression patterns in MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways.
  • Both human and canine melanoma cells showed constitutive pathway activation.
  • Similar sensitivity to AZD6244 and rapamycin was observed in both species' melanoma cells.

Conclusions:

  • Human and canine melanomas share common activation patterns in cancer-related signaling pathways.
  • Despite histological differences, canine melanoma serves as a relevant model for studying human melanoma signaling and response to targeted therapies.
Keywords:
MAPKPI3K/AKT pathwaycaninehumanmelanoma

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