Dog with DNA helixes in a research lab - Symbolism of shared genetic code

The Surprising Link Between Canine and Human Lymphoma: What Your Dog Can Teach Us About Cancer

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Nico Varela in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Our furry friends share more than just companionship—they also share a susceptibility to lymphoma. Discover how studying dogs can revolutionize our understanding and treatment of this disease in both species."


In the world of medical research, unexpected collaborations often lead to remarkable breakthroughs. One such collaboration is between veterinary and human oncologists, who are exploring the shared susceptibility of dogs and humans to lymphoma. This interdisciplinary approach, driven by the 'one medicine' concept, recognizes that animal and human health are intricately linked, and studying one can significantly benefit the other.

Lymphoma, a type of cancer affecting the lymphatic system, is becoming increasingly common in both humans and dogs. While treatments like CHOP chemotherapy are used in both species, there are crucial differences in outcomes and approaches. These differences, alongside striking similarities, make canine lymphoma an invaluable model for understanding the human disease.

This article delves into the fascinating world of canine lymphoma research, exploring how it mirrors human lymphoma, the unique advantages of studying naturally occurring cancers in dogs, and the promising advancements that could revolutionize treatment for both humans and their faithful companions.

Why Dogs? The Advantages of Canine Lymphoma Research

Dog with DNA helixes in a research lab - Symbolism of shared genetic code

While mouse models are traditionally used in cancer research, dogs offer several unique advantages. Unlike lab mice, dogs share our environment, drinking the same water, eating similar foods, and being exposed to the same environmental toxins. As Steven Suter, a veterinary oncologist explains, this shared environment provides a more realistic context for studying cancer development.

Furthermore, canine lymphomas are spontaneous tumors that develop in animals with intact immune systems, unlike induced tumors in immunocompromised mice. This natural occurrence provides a more accurate representation of how lymphoma develops in humans. Amy LeBlanc at the NIH emphasizes that this powerful situation cannot be accurately replicated in any other species, and studying naturally occurring tumors in dogs is more ethical.

  • Shared Environment: Dogs live alongside humans, sharing environmental exposures that may contribute to cancer development.
  • Spontaneous Tumors: Canine lymphomas develop naturally, providing a more accurate model of the human disease.
  • Ethical Considerations: Studying naturally occurring tumors reduces the need to induce cancer in research animals.
Because chemotherapy rarely cures lymphoma in dogs, this allows veterinarian researchers to explore novel therapeutic combinations before the lymphoma relapses. Cheryl London, a veterinary oncologist, says this helps to explore novel therapeutic combinations before relapse, and ultimately can result in a less-toxic lymphoma treatment for humans.

The Future of Lymphoma Treatment: A Mutually Beneficial Partnership

Canine lymphoma research is not only advancing veterinary medicine but also providing invaluable insights into the human disease. The similarities between canine and human lymphomas, coupled with the unique advantages of studying dogs, are accelerating the development of new diagnostic tools and therapies.

From identifying novel drug targets to refining treatment protocols, dogs are playing a crucial role in the fight against lymphoma. As researchers like Kristy Richards have discovered, the collaboration between veterinary and human oncologists is a mutually beneficial partnership that holds immense promise for improving the lives of both humans and their beloved canine companions.

As research continues, we can expect even more groundbreaking discoveries to emerge from the study of canine lymphoma, paving the way for more effective, less toxic treatments for both species.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

1

What is lymphoma?

Lymphoma is a type of cancer affecting the lymphatic system. In both humans and dogs, this cancer is becoming more prevalent. The lymphatic system is a critical part of the immune system, and when it's affected by lymphoma, it impairs the body's ability to fight off infections. The shared occurrence of lymphoma in both species makes dogs an excellent model for studying and developing treatments that could benefit both humans and canines. The current treatment often involves CHOP chemotherapy in both species, but with varying results.

2

Why is studying canine lymphoma important?

Studying canine lymphoma is significant because dogs share the same environment as humans, including exposures to potential environmental toxins and live with intact immune systems. Unlike laboratory mice, which are often used in cancer research, dogs develop spontaneous tumors, which offers a more accurate reflection of how the disease develops in humans. This allows researchers to observe the cancer's natural progression and response to treatments in a setting that more closely mirrors the human experience, potentially leading to more effective therapies.

3

What is the significance of the 'one medicine' concept in this context?

The interdisciplinary approach, driven by the 'one medicine' concept, is an essential collaboration between veterinary and human oncologists. This partnership recognizes that animal and human health are interconnected. By studying canine lymphoma, researchers can gain insights into the human disease, accelerating the development of new diagnostic tools and therapies. This collaborative method emphasizes that advancements in one area can significantly benefit the other, leading to more effective and potentially less toxic treatments for both species.

4

What are the benefits of the similarities between canine and human lymphomas?

The similarities between canine and human lymphomas are key because they provide a unique opportunity to transfer knowledge and treatments across species. While chemotherapy, like CHOP, is used in both, the differences in outcomes in dogs create a chance to explore novel treatment combinations before relapse, according to Cheryl London, a veterinary oncologist. Studying these differences can lead to discovering more effective therapies and potentially reducing the toxicity of treatments for humans.

5

What are the advantages of using dogs in lymphoma research?

The advantages of using dogs in lymphoma research include a shared environment, spontaneous tumors, and ethical considerations. Dogs' shared environment with humans means they are exposed to similar environmental factors that may contribute to cancer development. Canine lymphomas develop naturally, offering a more realistic model of the human disease, in comparison to the induced tumors in immunocompromised mice. Furthermore, studying naturally occurring tumors reduces the need to induce cancer in research animals, which is a more ethical approach. This results in studying the disease in a more ethically sound and realistic environment, potentially leading to new and improved treatments.

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