Overview

• The Cornell team analyzed DNA from fewer than 500 dogs, focusing on high-risk Belgian Tervuren and Belgian sheepdogs, to uncover more than 15 genomic regions tied to gastric cancer susceptibility.
• Key loci include known cancer genes such as tumor suppressor PTEN alongside novel risk genes like PDZRN3, opening new avenues for comparative oncology research.
• Comparisons with Belgian Malinois, a breed rarely affected by gastric cancer, identified three genomic regions that may offer protective effects.
• The study underscores purebred dogs’ value as models for human disease by yielding extensive gene discoveries with a modest sample size compared to large human genome-wide analyses.
• Ongoing work involves gathering additional samples to confirm predictive markers, investigate subtype-specific gene roles, and identify dysregulated tumor genes for potential therapeutic targeting.