Novel promising serum biomarkers for canine mammary tumors

Abstract

Canine mammary tumors (CMT) are the second most common form of neoplasia accounting for 40% of tumors in dogs. Today, as we know cancer is a disease of multiple genes and molecules. Research across the last three decades has enhanced our understanding of these molecules which is making possible new strategies of predicting, diagnosing and clinical treatment of this malady. Biomarkers are the modern day “neoplastic signatures” which enhances the specificity of tumor diagnosis allowing the researchers to differentiate tumors at the molecular level. This review enlists a concise summary of novel serum biomarkers counting matrix metalloproteinases, lysyl oxidase, heat shock proteins, mammaglobin, kynurenine 3-monooxygenase, WT1, nectin 4, and ERBB2. These new-fangled markers of canine malignancy could might help in early and accurate diagnosis resulting in more effective treatment and better prognosis. Nevertheless, more detailed research of these biomarkers along with their role in other cancers should be further validated in future.