Bladder cancer is a painful and often recurring disease, not just for humans, but for our canine companions as well. Urothelial carcinoma, the most common type of bladder cancer, affects both species in remarkably similar ways—from the genetics to the clinical progression. This shared burden also means a shared challenge: how to detect and treat the aggressive form of the disease that’s responsible for most relapses.
A recent study led by the University San Raffaele of Milan and the University of Milan in Italy, has found a specific marker that could be the key to more effective and targeted therapies for both humans and dogs.
The discovery of a new biomarker for cancer cells
For the first time, researchers have identified a specific protein called α5β1 integrin as a unique marker for early-stage bladder cancer cells – such high-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) – in both humans and dogs.
While the protein was completely absent in healthy or benign tissue, researchers found it expressed exclusively on malignant cells in 81% of human cases and every canine case they examined. This discovery is a game-changer. It acts as an indicator for the most dangerous form of the disease. Instead of treating the entire bladder, doctors could potentially use this marker to target only the cancerous cells.
The future of targeted therapy
This discovery opens the door to a new era of personalised medicine. The α5β1 integrin could serve two powerful purposes:
Accelerating the research thanks to the biomarker
The remarkable similarity between high-grade bladder cancer in humans and dogs means that research in one species can directly benefit the other. By working together and sharing data, scientists can accelerate the development of better clinical strategies for both humans and their pets.
This new marker represents a sign of promise—a key that could unlock more effective ways to find and treat this disease, leading to better outcomes for everyone.
Read the scientific paper published in Frontiers
High-grade non-muscle invasive urothelial carcinoma in dogs and humans share specific expression of integrin α5β1
Roberta Lucianò, Maurizio Colecchia, Francesca Sanvito, Irene Locatelli, Chiara Venegoni, Alessia Di Coste, Davide Danilo Zani, Angelica Stranieri, Chiara Giudice, Antonella Rigillo, Matteo Gambini, Francesco Montorsi, Andrea Salonia, Marco Moschini, Massimo Alfano.
May 2025
