Lymphomas in humans and dogs have similarities

A team of scientists from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Duke University have conducted one of the first studies to directly compare canine and human B-cell lymphoma by examining molecular similarities and differences between the two species.

B-cell lymphomas are very common in both humans and dogs.

“Pet dogs get cancer the same way humans do: at similar rates, and for unknown reasons.  Like humans, dogs’ tumors are spontaneously occurring, rather than genetically created as they are in mice, so canine tumors may more accurately mimic the situation in human cancer patients. Dogs are good models to study, because it will also be possible to study shared risk factors, in the environment, for example, that might predispose both humans and dogs to get lymphoma. Our knowledge helps dogs and humans with lymphoma.” says Kristy Richards, MD, PhD, and co-author of the research which has been published in the journal Cancer Research.

“Veterinarians treating dogs for lymphoma can offer clinical trials to their owners. Clinical trials in dogs are similar to those done in humans, with safety protections in place to minimize harm.”

Molecular analyses of canine and human tumors were completed at NCSU and at UNC Lineberger. The team used gene expression profiling and found that canine B-cell lymphoma expression profiles were similar in many ways to human B-cell lymphoma, thus paving the way for future studies, including therapeutic clinical trials in dogs and humans.

Source:  UNC School of Medicine media statement

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and the Perelman School of Medicine have published new research into an Epstein Barr-like virus that can infect and may cause lymphomas in dogs.

The findings means that humans and dogs share a similar biology – at least when it comes to the infection by the virus.  (Epstein Barr is the cause of diseases such as mononucleosis and is linked to the development of more serious diseases including non-Hodgkins and Hodgkins lymphomas.)

How does infection occur?

In humans, the Epstein Barr virus infects B cells.  After an acute phase of infection, which passes in many people without them even being aware of it,  the virus goes into a latent phase.  Most people show no symptoms during this phase.  In some, however the virus promotes unnatural growth of B cells and this contributes to the development of lymphoma.

Dogs develop lymphomas that share some characteristics with human lymphomas.  These conditions are relatively common in certain breeds such as the golden retriever.

Researchers think this line of enquiry is promising because they may be able to study the rates of infection and responses to treatment in dogs and this may have spinoffs for human treatment.

You can read the entire University of Pennsylvania media statement here.