Published in Veterinary Sciences, this comprehensive review examines malignant melanomas—aggressive neoplasms originating from melanocytes—across canine body locations. Although melanomas affect many species, the dog is considered an especially informative animal model due to the disease’s prevalence, biological diversity, and similarity to certain human melanoma forms.
The authors describe the epidemiological patterns of canine melanoma, noting that the oral cavity is the most common and clinically significant site. Other frequent locations include the skin, digits, and eyes, each associated with markedly different biological behaviors. Oral and digital melanomas tend to be highly aggressive with high metastatic potential, whereas many cutaneous melanomas exhibit more benign behavior, and ocular tumors form yet another biologically distinct category.
Etiological and molecular factors discussed include genetic susceptibility, breed predispositions, pigmentation-related influences, and dysregulated signaling pathways. The review highlights advances in understanding the molecular landscape of canine melanoma, including mutations and pathways that parallel human disease and provide opportunities for translational research.
Therapeutic approaches are detailed across modalities: surgery remains the cornerstone for localized tumors; radiotherapy and chemotherapy are used variably depending on site and stage; and immunotherapy—including novel vaccine-based strategies—represents a rapidly evolving frontier. Outcomes vary widely by tumor location and biological subtype.
The authors also emphasize how canine melanomas contribute to comparative oncology, offering insights that may enrich human melanoma research by revealing shared mechanisms and informing therapeutic innovation.
Source: Nishiya, A. T., Massoco, C., & colleagues (2016). Comparative Aspects of Canine Melanoma. Veterinary Sciences. Published February 19, 2016.
