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Companion Animals as a Key to Success for Translating Radiation Therapy Research into the Clinic
Isabelle F Vanhaezebrouck1, Matthew L Scarpelli2
1College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, 625 Harrison Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
Abstract:
Many successful preclinical findings fail to be replicated during translation to human studies. This leads to significant resources being spent on large clinical trials, and in some cases, promising therapeutics not being pursued due to the high costs of clinical translation. These translational failures emphasize the need for improved preclinical models of human cancer so that there is a higher probability of successful clinical translation. Companion-animal cancers offer a potential solution. These cancers are more similar to human cancer than other preclinical models, with a natural evolution over time, genetic alterations, intact immune system, and a permanent adaptation to the microenvironment. These advantages have led pioneers in veterinary radiation oncology to aid human medicine by elucidating basic principles of radiation biology. More recently, the veterinary and human radiation oncology fields have increasingly collaborated to achieve advancements in education, radiotherapy techniques, and trial networks. This review describes these advancements, including significant prior research findings and the evolution of the veterinary radiation oncology discipline. It concludes by describing how companion-animal models can help shape the future of human radiotherapy. Taken as a whole, this review suggests companion-animal cancers may become widely used for preclinical radiotherapy research.
Insights
Companion-animal cancers offer a promising preclinical model for human cancer research, improving the success rate of clinical translation. These naturally occurring cancers enhance radiotherapy research and may shape future human treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Comparative Medicine
- Radiation Biology
Background:
- Preclinical models often fail to predict human cancer treatment outcomes.
- This translational gap leads to wasted resources and stalled therapeutic development.
- Improved preclinical models are crucial for successful clinical translation of cancer therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advancements in veterinary radiation oncology.
- To highlight the utility of companion-animal cancer models in preclinical research.
- To discuss the collaborative evolution of veterinary and human radiation oncology.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on veterinary and human radiation oncology.
- Analysis of the biological similarities between companion-animal and human cancers.
- Examination of collaborative efforts and their impact.
Main Results:
- Companion-animal cancers share key characteristics with human cancers, including genetic alterations and intact immune systems.
- Veterinary radiation oncology has evolved significantly, contributing to human medicine.
- Collaboration between veterinary and human radiation oncology fields has advanced education, techniques, and trials.
Conclusions:
- Companion-animal cancer models present a valuable solution to preclinical research limitations.
- These models can improve the reliability of preclinical findings for human radiotherapy.
- Wider adoption of companion-animal cancers in research can accelerate the development of effective human cancer treatments.
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