Critical Questions in Genomic Diagnostics for Veterinary Oncology: What We Need to Know

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Genomics
• Oncology

Background:

• Genomic diagnostics are increasingly used in veterinary oncology for tumor classification and treatment guidance.
• Human genomic testing relies on extensive validation and regulatory oversight, unlike the current veterinary field.
• Veterinary genomic testing often lacks standardization and species-specific validation, frequently extrapolating from human data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current state of genomic testing in veterinary oncology.
• To emphasize methodological considerations for assay design, validation, and interpretation.
• To propose a framework for evaluating the validity and applicability of genomic tests in canine cancer.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature and practices in veterinary genomic diagnostics.
• Discussion of analytical rigor, including in silico and orthogonal validation strategies.
• Exploration of challenges in interpreting genomic variants and clinical actionability.

Main Results:

• Genomic testing in veterinary oncology is underdeveloped, lacking standardization and species-specific validation.
• There is a need for analytical rigor, performance benchmarks, and addressing variants of uncertain significance.
• Current human oncology frameworks have limitations when applied to veterinary cancer.

Conclusions:

• Advancing genomic diagnostics in veterinary oncology requires improved transparency, expanded validation, and aligned clinical expectations.
• A critical, question-driven approach is proposed for clinicians evaluating genomic tests.
• Coordinated efforts are essential to realize precision medicine's potential in veterinary oncology while maintaining integrity.