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Veterinary Sciences
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Comparative Oncology of Companion Animals
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Comparative Oncology of Companion Animals

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 May 2026) | Viewed by 11274

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ana Faustino

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
1. Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production (Inov4Agro), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
2. Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), University of Évora, 7004-516 Évora, Portugal
3. Department of Zootechnics, School of Sciences and Technology, University of Évora, 7004-516 Évora, Portugal
Interests: veterinary medicine; experimental animal models; lifestyle; tumor angiogenesis; natural compounds; animal welfare
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Paula Oliveira

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production (Inov4Agro), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
2. Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Interests: animal models; in vivo studies; natural compounds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Rui Gil da Costa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/CI-IPOP@RISE (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Department/Clinical Pathology, Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
2. Research Center For Experimental and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology (NEC)/Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB)/Bioanalysis Lab (LaBIO), Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), São Luís 65080-805, Brazil
3. Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy (LEPABE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Interests: cancer cachexia; animal models of cancer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cancer is among the most common causes of death in companion animals. Companion animals with naturally occurring cancers are widely utilized as a natural model for cancer research. Dogs and cats develop multiple types of cancer with numerous clinical, molecular, histopathological, and genetic similarities to human cancers.

Cancer constitutes a significant clinical challenge in veterinary medicine, with a high prevalence among companion animals. Despite the availability of numerous treatment approaches for cancer, advancements in the understanding of cancer mechanisms and the development of innovative treatments would offer the prospect of improved outcomes for oncologic patients. It is therefore necessary to find new methods for earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment of this disease. The following Special Issue, entitled “Comparative Oncology of Companion Animals”, aims to publish original research works and reviews concerning the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cancer in companion animals, highlighting new advances in this field.

Dr. Ana Faustino
Prof. Dr. Paula Oliveira
Dr. Rui Gil da Costa
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Veterinary Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cancer
  • companion animals
  • diagnosis
  • prognosis
  • treatment

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 1441 KB  
Article
The Characteristics of 924 Cutaneous Mast Cell Tumours in Dogs ≤ 3 Years of Age—With a Short Literature Review of Feline, Equine, and Human Proliferative Mast Cell Disorders
by Joshua Schwinn, Katrin Törner, Christoph Beitzinger, Robert Klopfleisch and Heike Aupperle-Lellbach
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(5), 500; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13050500 - 20 May 2026
Abstract
Datasets from 849 dogs ≤ 3 years of age were analysed retrospectively, considering breed, sex, anatomic sites, multiplicity, tumour diameter, grading, and immunohistochemistry by using IBM® SPSS Statistics (version 29.0.2.0). Danish–Swedish farm dogs (OR: 8.11, 95% CI 3.33–19.77, p < 0.001) and [...] Read more.
Datasets from 849 dogs ≤ 3 years of age were analysed retrospectively, considering breed, sex, anatomic sites, multiplicity, tumour diameter, grading, and immunohistochemistry by using IBM® SPSS Statistics (version 29.0.2.0). Danish–Swedish farm dogs (OR: 8.11, 95% CI 3.33–19.77, p < 0.001) and English Setters (OR: 6.68, 95% CI 3.20–13.97, p < 0.001) showed the highest odds ratios (ORs) compared to crossbreeds. German Shepherd Dogs showed lower ORs (OR: 0.05, 95% CI 0.007–0.364, p < 0.01). The most common sites affected in the young dogs were the trunk (39.2%), hind limbs (24.9%), head (10.1%), fore limbs (7.4%), and pinnae (5%). Patnaik grading revealed 330 grade I (35.7%), 580 grade II (62.8%), and 14 grade III MCTs (1.5%). Kiupel “low grade” was found in 903 MCTs (97%), and 21 MCTs were “high grade” (3%). The prevalence of grade I MCTs was higher in Boxers (48.0%, p < 0.05) and Pugs (67.9%, p < 0.01). Pinnal MCTs were mostly grade I (58.3%, p < 0.01). In 6% (n = 51), multilocalised MCTs were found, and Golden Retrievers (12.5%, p = 0.02) and Pugs (21.4%, p = 0.005) were more affected than crossbreeds. Out of 87 dogs, 20 showed a Ki-67 count above the cut-off as well as KIT staining pattern II. The findings warrant heightened vigilance in evaluating cutaneous lesions in young dogs and highlight similarities and differences compared to the general dog population. Analysis of survival data is required to evaluate how the findings translate into a clinical setting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comparative Oncology of Companion Animals)
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26 pages, 3580 KB  
Article
Assessment of Fecal Microbiota in Healthy Dogs and Dogs with Cutaneous Mast Cell Tumors Treated with Electrochemotherapy Combined with Gene Electrotransfer of IL-12
by Anja Lisjak, Bruna Correa Lopes, Rachel Pilla, Ana Nemec, Urša Lampreht Tratar, Jan S. Suchodolski and Nataša Tozon
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(3), 241; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13030241 - 1 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1239
Abstract
Cancer is a major health concern, with its incidence rate continuing to increase. There is growing interest in the microbiota and its role in carcinogenesis, as it significantly influences physiological and pathological processes. Various aspects of the microbiome have been shown to have [...] Read more.
Cancer is a major health concern, with its incidence rate continuing to increase. There is growing interest in the microbiota and its role in carcinogenesis, as it significantly influences physiological and pathological processes. Various aspects of the microbiome have been shown to have both anti-tumor and pro-tumor effects. Advances in techniques such as high-throughput DNA sequencing have greatly improved our understanding of microbial populations in the human and canine gut. We aimed to (1) characterize the intestinal microbiota of healthy dogs and dogs with cutaneous mast cell tumors (MCTs), (2) assess changes in the intestinal microbiota of dogs undergoing electrochemotherapy (ECT) combined with gene electrotransfer (GET) of the IL-12 plasmid (IL-12), and (3) explore possible associations with the expression of immune markers Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and Granzyme B (GZMB) in MCT tissue. Stool samples were collected from healthy dogs (n = 24) and dogs with MCTs (n = 24) before and after ECT and IL-12 GET. DNA was extracted from the samples, and shallow shotgun sequencing was performed. Immunohistochemistry was performed on the tumors to assess the expression of PD-1, PD-L1, and GZMB. The dysbiosis index, alpha diversity, and beta diversity did not differ between groups. Regarding microbial composition, Bifidobacterium animalis, Corynebacterium variabile, Lactobacillus johnsonii, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus equinus, Streptococcus intermedius, Clostridium thermobutyricum, Megasphaera elsdenii, and Anaerobiospirillum sp. were found in lower relative abundance in feces of dogs with MCTs, while Bacteroides togonis, Lactobacillus amylolyticus, Prevotella sp. CAG:279, and Megamonas hypermegale were more abundant compared to healthy dogs. Our study provides further insight into the composition of the gut microbiota in dogs with MCTs, where ECT and IL-12 GET did not lead to major shifts. We were unable to establish any association between the expression of immune markers and the microbiota. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comparative Oncology of Companion Animals)
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23 pages, 4382 KB  
Article
Retrospective Analysis of Prevalence of Tumors in Dogs and Cats in Lithuania
by Nomeda Juodžiukynienė
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(11), 1038; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12111038 - 27 Oct 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3828
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and clinicopathological characteristics of tumors in dogs and cats in Lithuania. A total of 3525 routine diagnostic samples collected from 1 January 2020 to 1 July 2025 were microscopically examined and statistically analyzed. [...] Read more.
The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and clinicopathological characteristics of tumors in dogs and cats in Lithuania. A total of 3525 routine diagnostic samples collected from 1 January 2020 to 1 July 2025 were microscopically examined and statistically analyzed. Tumor prevalence was slightly higher in dogs (59.2%, n = 1693) compared with cats (56.5%, n = 375). Mammary gland tumors, skin tumors, and sarcomas were the most common neoplasms in both species, although notable interspecies differences were identified. In particular, feline mammary carcinomas were more aggressive, and squamous cell carcinoma was significantly more frequent in cats. These findings are consistent with international epidemiological trends and highlight the importance of species-specific diagnostic and management strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comparative Oncology of Companion Animals)
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18 pages, 2849 KB  
Article
Effects of Ladder-Climbing Exercise on Mammary Cancer: Data from a Chemically Induced Rat Model
by Jessica Silva, Tiago Azevedo, Inês Aires, Catarina Medeiros, Maria J. Neuparth, Fernanda Seixas, Rita Ferreira, Ana I. Faustino-Rocha, Paula A. Oliveira and José Alberto Duarte
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(4), 303; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12040303 - 26 Mar 2025
Viewed by 2607
Abstract
Breast cancer remains a significant global health issue, affecting both humans and companion animals, particularly female dogs and cats, where mammary tumors are among the most common cancers. Strategies to minimize the impact of this disease on patients, pet owners, and veterinary medicine [...] Read more.
Breast cancer remains a significant global health issue, affecting both humans and companion animals, particularly female dogs and cats, where mammary tumors are among the most common cancers. Strategies to minimize the impact of this disease on patients, pet owners, and veterinary medicine are essential. This study analyses the effects of resistance training on the development of chemically induced mammary cancer in female Wistar rats, divided into four groups: sedentary control (CTR), sedentary induced (CTR+N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)), exercised control (EX), and exercised induced (EX+MNU). The exercise protocol involved ladder climbing three times a week for 18 weeks with the load progressively increasing. At the study’s end, blood and histopathological samples were collected and analyzed. Although tumor onset occurred two weeks earlier and incidence was slightly higher in the exercised group (EX+MNU) compared to the control group (CTR+MNU), the mortality rate was lower, and the malignancy was not as aggressive. No systemic inflammation was observed, as the levels of albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the MNU groups remained similar to the controls. Exercise has been shown to promote overall health by increasing physical fitness, boosting immunological function, and improving metabolic health. These findings may offer valuable insights into the potential role of resistance training in managing mammary cancer in companion animals. However, further research is required to assess clinical applicability and to establish safe and effective exercise protocols for veterinary oncology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comparative Oncology of Companion Animals)
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Review

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31 pages, 736 KB  
Review
Inside the Tumor: Decoding the Feline Mammary Tumor Microenvironment and Its Prognostic Value—A Review
by Joana Rodrigues-Jesus, Ana Canadas-Sousa, Hugo Vilhena and Patrícia Dias-Pereira
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(10), 959; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12100959 - 8 Oct 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2526
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) comprises neoplastic and stromal cells, and extracellular matrix elements, all engaging in a complex interplay that ultimately dictates tumorigenesis, cancer progression, and therapeutic response. While extensive research on the TME has been conducted in human oncology, data on its [...] Read more.
The tumor microenvironment (TME) comprises neoplastic and stromal cells, and extracellular matrix elements, all engaging in a complex interplay that ultimately dictates tumorigenesis, cancer progression, and therapeutic response. While extensive research on the TME has been conducted in human oncology, data on its veterinary counterpart, particularly in feline mammary tumors (FMTs), are still scarce. In this review, we explore current understanding of feline mammary carcinoma (FMC) microenvironment, focusing on tumor necrosis, fibrosis, angiogenesis, adipose tissue tumor-associated inflammation, extracellular vesicles, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and their prognostic implications. In FMC, remodeling of collagen fibers, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), regulatory T cells (Tregs) and elevated serum leptin have been associated with poor prognosis, whereas stromal cytotoxic T cells correlate with more favorable outcomes. By contrast, findings on necrosis and pro-angiogenic factors remain inconsistent, and research on extracellular vesicles (EVs) is still in its early stages. This review presents insights from human breast cancer (HBC) that further support and elucidate the potential relevance of these TME components. As FMCs are highly aggressive tumors, a deeper understanding of their microenvironment could not only improve prognostic accuracy but also uncover novel therapeutic targets. Furthermore, due to their similarities, FMCs offer a potential valuable spontaneous model for HBC, particularly for the aggressive triple-negative phenotypes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comparative Oncology of Companion Animals)
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