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Canine as a Comparative and Translational Model for Human Mammary Tumor
Jee Young Kwon1, Nicholas Moskwa1, Wonyoung Kang2
1The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, USA.
Abstract:
Despite the advances in research and treatment of human breast cancer, its incidence rate continues to increase by 0.5% per year, and the discovery of novel therapeutic strategies for specific subtypes of human breast cancer remains challenging. Traditional laboratory mouse models have contributed tremendously to human breast cancer research. However, mice do not develop tumors spontaneously; consequently, genetically engineered mouse models or patient-derived xenograft models are often relied upon for more sophisticated human breast cancer studies. Since human breast cancer develops spontaneously, there is a need for alternative, yet complementary, models that can better recapitulate the features of human breast cancer to better understand the molecular and clinical complexities of the disease in developing new therapeutic strategies. Canine mammary tumors are one such alternative model that share features with human breast cancer, including prevalence rate, subtype classification, treatment, and mutational profiles, all of which are described in this review.
Insights
Canine mammary tumors offer a valuable alternative model for studying human breast cancer. These naturally occurring tumors share similarities with human disease, aiding in the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Comparative oncology
- Veterinary medicine
- Cancer research
Background:
- Human breast cancer incidence is rising, posing challenges for developing targeted therapies.
- Current mouse models (genetically engineered or xenograft) have limitations in fully recapitulating spontaneous human breast cancer.
- There is a need for complementary models that better mimic human breast cancer's complexity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review canine mammary tumors as a relevant comparative model for human breast cancer research.
- To highlight the shared characteristics between canine and human breast cancer.
- To explore the potential of canine mammary tumors in advancing therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on canine mammary tumors and human breast cancer.
- Comparative analysis of epidemiological, clinical, and molecular features.
- Examination of treatment and mutational profile similarities.
Main Results:
- Canine mammary tumors exhibit comparable prevalence, subtype classification, and treatment responses to human breast cancer.
- Significant similarities exist in the mutational profiles between canine and human breast cancer.
- Canine mammary tumors spontaneously develop, mirroring human disease progression.
Conclusions:
- Canine mammary tumors represent a promising, naturally occurring model for human breast cancer research.
- This model can enhance understanding of molecular and clinical complexities, facilitating new therapeutic development.
- Further investigation into canine mammary tumors can significantly contribute to advancing breast cancer treatment.
