P2 passed away from complications of lung cancer. Much progress has been made in past decade+ What might need to be done epidemiologically to understand how to motivate funding for research in this area? Pet lovers love their pets unimaginably!
Maynard S. Clark
P2 passed away from complications of lung cancer. Much oncological research progress has been made in past decade+
What might need to be done epidemiologically to understand how to motivate funding for research in this area? Pet lovers love their pets unimaginably!
P2 had recently "adopted a humane vegan diet" (yet he died anyway, as we expect will be fate of all or most other vegans, whether human and nonhuman).
P2’s passing from complications of lung cancer reminds us of how little is still known about the causes and prevention of such diseases in companion animals. Despite real progress in veterinary oncology over the past decade, the broader picture remains incomplete.
-
What new epidemiological approaches are needed to illuminate the environmental contributors to lung cancer in dogs — from urban air pollution and exhaust particulates to indoor toxins and building emissions?
-
How might insights from One Health—integrating human, animal, and environmental health—help guide future research and prevention efforts?
-
Where should funding and scientific attention be directed to better understand how environmental exposures, genetics, and lifestyle factors interact in canine lung cancers?
-
What steps could inspire public awareness and mobilize pet lovers to advocate for deeper, sustained research into the ecological and biological roots of these cancers?
Let's map out what’s been happening in research on canine lung cancer over roughly the last 5–12 years, what the basic science looks like, where major knowledge gaps remain, applications (diagnosis & treatment), and what’s known about epidemiology. I’ll highlight recent, authoritative sources so you can follow up on anything that interests you.
Snapshot: what’s been happening (past ~5–12 years)
-
Molecular / genomic work has accelerated. Researchers have begun to chart the genomic landscape of naturally occurring canine lung cancers and to identify recurrent, actionable mutations (e.g., HER2/ERBB2 mutations and other oncogenic hotspots). This opens the door to comparative oncology approaches and targeted therapies borrowed from human oncology. PMC+1
-
New cell lines, models, and basic-lab tools have been developed (recent reports of novel canine pulmonary adenocarcinoma cell lines and animal models) that let labs study tumor biology, metastasis, and drug responses in ways that were previously difficult. PMC+1
-
Diagnostics are improving. Liquid biopsy / circulating tumor DNA screens for canine cancers (e.g., commercial tests such as PetDx’s OncoK9) have emerged in the last few years and are being validated. These tests may detect multiple cancers from blood samples, though sensitivity and specificity vary by tumor type and are still under evaluation. WIRED
-
Clinical practice remains dominated by surgery. Because primary lung tumors in dogs are relatively rare and often localized, surgical resection (lobectomy) is still the standard of care for many cases; adjuvant chemo, radiation, and targeted treatments are being explored but with mixed/limited evidence so far. Recent clinical outcome studies and surgical series have been published. Wiley Online Library+1
-
Comparative oncology perspective is growing. Because dogs naturally develop many tumor types that mirror human cancers (shared mutations, histology, clinical behavior), veterinary lung cancer research is increasingly framed as mutually informative: canine findings can inform human oncology and vice versa. Nature
Basic science: what we know now
-
Common histology: The most frequent primary lung tumor in dogs is pulmonary carcinoma, predominantly pulmonary adenocarcinoma (papillary/bronchoalveolar patterns are common). Clinical signs vary widely; some dogs are asymptomatic until late. PMC+1
-
Genomics & oncogenes: Canine tumors show recurrent mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressors that overlap human hotspots (TP53, KRAS, PIK3CA, EGFR, HER2/ERBB2 and others). Notably, activating HER2 mutations have been reported in canine lung cancers. These molecular data are recent but forcefully suggest targetable biology. PMC+1
-
Tumor behavior & metastasis: Many primary lung carcinomas in dogs metastasize to regional nodes or distantly; biological behavior depends on subtype, grade, and stage. Surgical removal can prolong survival for localized disease. Frontiers
Knowledge gaps / where basic science needs expansion
-
Incidence and risk-factor clarity: Primary lung cancer in dogs is relatively uncommon; however, precise incidence estimates and clear environmental or lifestyle risk factors (e.g., air pollution, household exposures, secondhand smoke, occupational toxins, breed predispositions) are still under-researched. Large-scale epidemiologic studies are sparse. PMC+1
-
Tumor microenvironment & immune biology: We need better data on canine tumor-immune interactions, immune checkpoints expression, and why some tumors respond to immunotherapy while others do not. This is essential for translating human immuno-oncology approaches to dogs. Frontiers+1
-
Functional genomics and drivers: Cataloguing driver vs passenger mutations and validating which mutations are true therapeutic targets (and in which subtypes) remains incomplete. HER2 findings are promising but need functional/clinical follow-up. PMC
-
Validated preclinical models: While new cell lines and models exist, more robust, reproducible in vivo models and organoid systems would accelerate drug discovery and mechanistic studies. PMC+1
-
Biomarkers and early detection: Liquid biopsy tech is emerging, but sensitivity for many tumor types (including some lung cancers) is still limited. Validation in broad clinical cohorts and assessment of how early detection would change outcomes are needed. WIRED
Applications / clinical implications
-
Surgery (lobectomy) remains the main potentially curative option for localized primary lung tumors. Recent surgical outcome studies are refining prognostic factors. Wiley Online Library+1
-
Targeted therapy potential: Identification of HER2 and other mutations raises the possibility of using HER2 or EGFR inhibitors (TKIs) in canine patients — but clinical trials and veterinary-approved targeted agents are limited so far. Comparative trials (testing human drugs in dogs) are being considered but require careful safety vetting. PMC+1
-
Immunotherapy: Human-style immunotherapies (checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T, etc.) are under discussion for veterinary oncology; some early case reports and small studies exist, but routine clinical application is not yet standard. Cross-species immuno-therapeutics are an active research area with bioethical and immunologic complexity. Frontiers
-
Diagnostics: Liquid biopsy (ctDNA) can detect multiple canine cancers noninvasively. It’s an emerging screening/diagnostic tool that may be especially useful where imaging or biopsy is risky, but clinical utility and best-use scenarios are still being defined. WIRED
Epidemiology (what the literature says)
-
Rarity: Primary lung tumors in dogs are relatively uncommon — reported incidence estimates vary by study and region, e.g., roughly <1% of all canine malignancies or incidence rates like 4.2 per 10,000 dogs/year to other region-specific figures. Estimates differ because of referral-center bias, diagnostic practices, and reporting differences. PMC+1
-
Age / presentation: Most cases are in middle-aged to older dogs. Some dogs are asymptomatic and detected incidentally on imaging; others present with cough, exercise intolerance, or respiratory distress. Frontiers
-
Histologic patterns: Adenocarcinomas (including bronchoalveolar/papillary variants) are the most commonly reported primary pulmonary tumor histology in dogs (often cited as 60–80% of primary pulmonary tumors). BVA Journals
Practical research priorities (suggested)
-
Large-scale epidemiologic cohorts linking dog health records, environmental exposures, and outcomes to clarify incidence and modifiable risk factors. (Think national veterinary registries or multi-center consortia.) ScienceDirect
-
Comparative genomic surveys across many canine lung tumors to robustly identify driver mutations and mutational spectra (subtype-specific). Nature+1
-
Clinical trials of targeted agents (HER2, EGFR inhibitors) in molecularly selected canine patients, along with safety and pharmacokinetic studies. PMC+1
-
Validation studies of liquid biopsy sensitivity/specificity for early detection and monitoring, with longitudinal outcome data to understand clinical benefit and harms. WIRED
-
Immune-oncology research to characterize tumor microenvironment, immune checkpoints, and response predictors in canine lung cancers. Frontiers
Where to read next (select sources)
-
Lorch et al., Identification of recurrent activating HER2 mutations in canine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (genomics work showing HER2 mutations). PMC
-
Rodrigues et al., Shared hotspot mutations in oncogenes position dogs as comparative models (2023) — comparative oncology / mutation overlap with humans. Nature
-
Recent descriptive/review articles on canine lung carcinoma / primary pulmonary tumors (2024–2025 reviews summarizing histology, clinical course, treatment options). PMC+1
-
Coverage of liquid biopsy / OncoK9 (PetDx) and the promise / limitations of blood-based cancer screening in dogs. (Journalism + scientific validation literature). WIRED
Short practical takeaway
-
Progress is real: molecular discoveries (HER2 and other mutations), new cell lines/models, and liquid biopsy technologies are all moving the field forward. PMC+2PMC+2
-
But clinical translation is partial: surgery remains central; targeted drugs and immunotherapies are promising but require rigorous veterinary clinical trials and regulatory pathways. Wiley Online Library+1
-
Epidemiology is underdeveloped: primary lung cancer in dogs is rare and better population-level data are needed to identify risk factors and inform prevention. PMC+1
If you’d like, I can:
-
Pull and summarize a small set of the most relevant papers (PDFs) on HER2 in canine lung cancer, liquid biopsy validation, and recent surgical outcome studies.
-
Draft a short lay-person one-page summary you could share with vets or an advocacy group asking for more canine lung-cancer research funding.
-
Help outline a research proposal or prioritized agenda for a comparative oncology study focused on canine lung cancer.
Which of those next steps would be most useful to you?
What kinds of epidemiological studies are needed to reveal the true scope and causes of canine lung cancer—so that research funding can be effectively motivated and directed? Pet lovers cherish their companions beyond measure.
What must be done, epidemiologically and socially, to deepen understanding and inspire meaningful funding for research into canine lung cancer? Those who share their lives with dogs love them beyond words.
What epidemiological strategies are most needed to clarify risk factors for canine lung cancer and thereby strengthen the scientific and emotional case for dedicated research funding? The human–animal bond offers powerful motivation for this work.
How can epidemiology help illuminate the links between environmental pollution and canine lung cancer—and, in doing so, inspire the funding and public commitment that our beloved companions deserve?
Maynard