Pet dogs are helping to advance knowledge about potential cancer treatments

October 15, 12:14 AMNatural Health ExaminerGenevieve Kiger

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Canine Cancer Patients May Soon Help Evaluate Human Cancer Therapies

photo by Jill Hannah

According to an article published on October 13th, 2009 in the PLoS Medicine Journal (Public Library of Science), cancers that naturally occur in pet dogs may soon help in the diagnosis and treatment of human cancers.

Why Use Dogs?

Our close companions share certain characteristics with us, such that when they come down with cancer, the tumors behave clinically and biologically very similarly to comparable tumors in humans.  This gives researchers an unparalleled opportunity to test new diagnostics and treatments prior to human trials.  Similar research in mice, though useful, does not always equate to how cancer in humans will behave.  Dogs provide an intermediary step that can help save lives.

Is This Animal Cruelty?

Put most simply, no, not at all.  The dogs under discussion are not animals kept in minimal conditions in a lab; what is under consideration by these researchers, is using pet dogs diagnosed with naturally occurring tumors.  And just like with human clinical trials, it is purely an informed, consensual, and voluntary process (by the pet owners, of course.)

In many instances, this gives the dogs a better chance at recovery, rather than less.  And, of course, there is the motivation of "the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of cancer treatment for future human and canine patients," according to the team of scientists, led by Chand Khanna, who published the paper.

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