MicroRNA Expression Patterns in Canine Oncological Applications

The exploration of microRNA (miRNA) expression in canine oncology has revealed dysregulation patterns that underpin tumour initiation, progression and metastasis across a spectrum of disease types. In primary tumour tissues, distinct miRNA signatures distinguish benign from malignant lesions, identify histological subtypes and predict metastatic potential. Circulating miRNAs isolated from plasma reflect tumour burden and mirror tissue-based profiles, offering minimally invasive biomarkers for early detection and monitoring of therapeutic response. Profiling studies using microarray, RNA sequencing and RT-qPCR have mapped clusters of oncogenic miRNAs, such as those at the 14q32 locus, as well as tumour-suppressive miRNAs that target cell-cycle regulators, apoptotic mediators and extracellular matrix remodellers. Comparative analyses between canine and human cancers underscore conserved pathways, positioning the dog as a valuable translational model. Functional investigations, involving overexpression and knockdown experiments, have elucidated the mechanistic roles of specific miRNAs in modulating Wnt signalling, matrix metalloproteinase activity and tyrosinase-related pathways. These insights offer avenues for developing RNA-based therapeutics and refining prognostic panels. Despite advances, challenges persist in standardising normalisation methods, validating candidate biomarkers in multicentre cohorts and integrating miRNA panels into clinical workflows. Continued efforts to harmonise analytical pipelines and expand longitudinal studies will enhance the clinical utility of miRNA profiling in veterinary oncology and its contribution to understanding human cancer biology.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Studies have demonstrated that levels of plasma miR-214 and miR-126 are elevated in a broad range of canine neoplasms, including epithelial and mesenchymal tumour types. Quantitative PCR profiling across over 180 clinical cases revealed high diagnostic accuracy for sarcomas and carcinomas, with miR-214 showing particular sensitivity in bone and vascular tumours, and miR-126 in epithelial lesions. Both miRNAs also correlated with prognosis, stratifying dogs by survival outcomes independently of conventional clinical parameters. The conservation of these circulating miRNA signatures with human malignancies highlights their translational potential and underscores the feasibility of liquid biopsy approaches for routine veterinary practice.

MicroRNA Expression Patterns in Canine Oncological Applications publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in microrna expression patterns in canine oncological applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

microRNA (miRNA): small non-coding RNA molecules that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression by binding to specific messenger RNAs and inhibiting translation or promoting degradation.

Circulating microRNAs: miRNAs found in biofluids such as plasma, often encapsulated in microvesicles or bound to proteins, used as non-invasive biomarkers.

RT-qPCR: reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, a technique to quantify RNA levels by converting them to DNA and amplifying specific sequences in real time.

Wnt signalling pathway: a complex network of proteins involved in cell proliferation, differentiation and migration, often dysregulated in cancer.

Comparative oncology: the study of cancer across species to identify common mechanisms and translational insights.

References

1. Exploring the role of microRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in canine mammary tumors. GeroScience (2024).
2. Upregulation and functional roles of miR-450b in canine oral melanoma. Non-coding RNA Research (2024).
3. Circulating microRNA-214 and -126 as potential biomarkers for canine neoplastic disease. Scientific Reports (2017).
4. MiRNAs in Canine and Human Osteosarcoma: A Highlight Review on Comparative Biomolecular Aspects. Cells (2021).
5. Evaluation of normalization methods for two-channel microRNA microarrays. Journal of Translational Medicine (2010).