Canine mammary tumor risk is associated with polymorphisms in RAD51 and STK11 genes.

Cancer is a complex disease involving genetic and phenotypic changes. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been associated with the risk of breast cancer development in women; however, little is known regarding their influence on canine mammary tumor risk. We assessed the influence of SNPs in genes related to human breast cancer susceptibility, with respect to the risk of development of mammary tumors in dogs. Sixty-seven canine SNPs in proto-oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, genes involved in DNA repair, and in hormonal metabolism were evaluated in 212 bitches with mammary tumors and in 161 bitches free of mammary neoplasia. A significant association with mammary neoplasia risk was identified for 2 SNPs in RAD51 ( rs23623251 and rs23642734) and one SNP in the STK11 gene ( rs22928814). None of the other SNPs were related to the risk of mammary tumor development. The identification of genetic profiles associated with risk of mammary neoplasia is of great importance, supporting the implementation of specific clinical management strategies in high-risk animals.