Pathological Similarities in the Development of Papillomavirus-Associated Cancer in Humans, Dogs, and Cats

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Papillomavirus (PV) infection affects many species, including humans and domestic animals, such as dogs and cats. Some of these infections involve the development of cancer due to the presence of PV. There are similarities in the pathology of these three PV-associated cancers, which may provide crucial insights into cancer development in these species, extrapolating both markers and possible treatment in the three species. For example, the oncoproteins E5, E6, and E7 are the main causes of the development of cancer associated with PV, and the possible therapies associated with the blockage or reduction of these oncoproteins can be of great benefit for the reduction and/or elimination of cancer associated with PV. Thus, our review focuses on the similarities in the context of pathology and biomarkers in canine, feline, and human cancers associated with PV. We review the main biomarkers, E5, E6, and E7 oncoproteins, and their overexpression in Canis familiaris, Felis catus, and human papillomavirus and their association with the development of cancer. Furthermore, we also discuss that a potential treatment for PV-related cancer is the reduction or blocking of these oncoproteins. ABSTRACT: Canis familiaris, Felis catus, and human papillomavirus are nonenveloped viruses that share similarities in the initiation and development of cancer. For instance, the three species overexpress the oncoproteins E6 and E7, and Canis familiaris and human papillomavirus overexpress the E5 oncoprotein. These similarities in the pathophysiology of cancer among the three species are beneficial for treating cancer in dogs, cats, and humans. To our knowledge, this topic has not been reviewed so far. This review focuses on the information on cancer research in cats and dogs comparable to that being conducted in humans in the context of comparative pathology and biomarkers in canine, feline, and human cancer. We also focus on the possible benefit of treatment associated with the E5, E6, and E7 oncoproteins for cancer in dogs, cats, and humans.