Volume: 5, 2026
5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A042
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.A042
Published online: 22 April 2026
MicroRNAs as biomarkers in canine mammary tumours
Kaja Ziółkowska-Twarowska*, Paweł Grychnik, Athul P. Kurian, Krzysztof Kowal, Angelika Tkaczyk-Wlizło and Brygida Ślaska
Institute of Biological Bases of Animal Production, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 13 Akademicka St. 20-950 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: kaja.ziolkowska@up.edu.pl
Canine mammary tumours (CMT) are among the most commonly diagnosed types of neoplasia in bitches. The disease may develop in any breed, and its incidence is influenced by factors such as age, body size, and reproductive status. The documented tendency for malignant transformation was observed in approximately 50% of cases. Therefore, early diagnosis and prompt initiation of treatment is crucial for improving survival rates. The aim of this review is to summarise current knowledge on the role of microRNAs as diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers in canine mammary tumours.
Advances in animal sciences and genetic diagnostics have enabled the development of effective and minimally invasive diagnostic methods, including biomarkers based on nucleic acids, such as microRNA (miRNA). MiRNAs are single-stranded, non-coding, short RNA molecules consisting of 20–23 nucleotides that participate in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. They play a key role in the proper functioning of all biological processes in multicellular organisms, including the control of the cell cycle, cell proliferation, metabolism, and apoptosis. Studies have shown that miRNAs are also involved in processes occurring in cancer cells, acting either as oncogenes or tumour suppressors depending on their level of expression and activity. Among them, the oncogenic miRNAs miR-21, miR-29b, miR-141, miR-429 and miR-200c, miR-210, and miR-96 are recognised, which increased expression promotes tumour development, as well as tumour-suppressor miRNAs miR-497, miR-15a, miR-16, miR-138a, miR-143, miR-145, miR-101, miR-125, and miR-149, which reduced expression leads to the induction of apoptosis, inhibition of metastasis, and suppression of tumour progression.
The number of publications concerning the use of miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic tools in veterinary oncology remains limited. However, the results obtained so far are promising, indicating high specificity of these analyses as well as their non-invasive nature. Therefore, further research in this area is necessary. This method has significant potential to lead, in the future, to the development of widely accessible tests enabling the early detection of cancer and, consequently, the more rapid implementation of appropriate treatment.
This research was funded by grant number 2019/35/B/NZ5/00775 from the National Science Centre in Poland.
Keywords: diagnostics; dog; neoplasia; oncology
How to cite
Ziółkowska-Twarowska K., Grychnik P., Kurian A.P., Kowal K., Tkaczyk-Wlizło A., Ślaska B., 2026. MicroRNAs as biomarkers in canine mammary tumours. In: 5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.A042