Molecular biomarkers are serving as reliable potential targets in the field of applied genetics and genomics to study the abyss of biomedical sciences in the present time. Early cancer diagnosis always remains a mystery and pivotal research arena in molecular oncology for cancer prognosis and successful recovery, both in human and animal species.
Dogs and cats are the most beloved creatures among the pet species. Therefore, animal passionates are more anxious about the health and husbandry techniques of their companion animals. Animal cancer incidence rate is augmenting due to industrialization, less rigorous managerial efforts, fewer animal health care facilities and economic constraints. Recently, a PhD thesis research was conducted by scientists at Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan, which revealed the expression profiling of tumor suppressor (Tp53) and heat shock protein (Hspb1) genes through real-time quantitative PCR in different types of cancers in these two valued pet species of Pakistan. Secondly, characterization of these aforementioned genes was also performed to ascertain cancer-associated mutations in their genomic landscape, which can be served as diagnostic and prognostic markers in different malignancies of mammary gland, CTVT, Lymphoma, Squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma and granuloma in these animals. Thirdly, these novel signature cancer-associated DNA alterations were correlated with particular tumor type by genotyping and screenings even cat’s populations of the world.
These scientific developments have surfaced the method to envisage advance approaches in this applied field of genomic comparative oncology, which will be helpful for other scientists to comprehend further with this problem. This study made available the gene expression profiles and cancer risk aberrancies in Tp53 and Hspb1 genes alongwith Pakistani cat population screening data in comparison to Oman, Iraqi, Brunei, South Korean, French, Philippines and US cat cohorts, which is substantial addition in the existing information in animal genetic resource (AnGR) of Pakistan.
RASHID SAIF, DR MUHAMMAD WASIM
UVAS, Lahore
