The potential of translational research in dogs in human medicine

Abstract

Dog is an important animal model for translational research to study human diseases. This translational research includes identification of causative genes for shared diseases with humans, identification of new drug targets for the treatment of patients with monogenic diseases, canine clinical trials conducted before and parallel with human clinical trials, and intervention research in healthy dogs. For future research, I propose two important considerations. First, knowledge of the genetic epidemiology of diseases in each breed of dog used is indispensable to precisely identify dogs with the best potential in translational research. Second, research in dogs has a significant potential to expand actionable disease treatment to patients with genetic risk of disease. Translational research in dogs can help enhance human medical sciences in addition to veterinary medicine.