The role of epigenetic alterations in canine mammary cancer

Canine mammary cancer (CMC) is the most common cancer in female dogs, especially those that are unspayed, representing a significant health issue in veterinary medicine. It is a tumor with a multifactorial origin, sharing several risk factors with its human counterpart. Molecular alterations play a crucial role in the development of this tumor type. Among these, epigenetic modifications are particularly important because they regulate gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. These modifications influence key cellular processes involved in tumor progression, such as cell motility, invasion, angiogenesis, and chemotherapy resistance. This review focuses on the main epigenetic changes observed in CMCs, and explores their potential in diagnosis and prognosis, including minimally invasive methods.