University of Liverpool and International Partners Launch Largest Ever Pet Tumour Registry to Advance Cancer Research

University of Liverpool and International Partners Launch Largest Ever Pet Tumour Registry to Advance Cancer Research

(IN BRIEF) Researchers from the University of Liverpool and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria have created the world’s largest open-source tumour registry for dogs and cats, containing more than one million diagnostic records. The project integrates veterinary laboratory data into a unified and standardised database that enables large-scale research into cancer risks in companion animals. The registry allows scientists to examine rare cancers and less common breeds while exploring factors such as genetics and neutering practices that may influence cancer development. The dataset, which is accessible to researchers worldwide, will continue to expand as additional laboratories contribute data. Early findings have already been published in Veterinary and Comparative Oncology, and the work has been supported by the Petplan Charitable Trust.

(PRESS RELEASE) LIVERPOOL, 2-Mar-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Researchers at the University of Liverpool, working in partnership with the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, have developed the largest open-access tumour database for companion animals ever assembled. The registry contains more than one million records of diagnosed tumours in dogs and cats and is designed to advance knowledge about the factors that influence cancer risk in pets.

The project was led by the Veterinary Data Science Group at the University of Liverpool and combines expertise from veterinary pathology, epidemiology, clinical veterinary medicine, and data science. By collaborating with veterinary diagnostic laboratories and applying advanced techniques to extract and harmonise diagnostic information, the researchers created a comprehensive and standardised dataset from previously scattered sources.

With its unprecedented scale, the registry allows scientists to investigate rare cancers and less common dog and cat breeds with a level of statistical confidence that was previously not possible. The open-source nature of the resource enables researchers across the world to analyse consistent, high-quality data and identify patterns that were previously obscured by isolated datasets.

David Killick, Professor of Veterinary Oncology at the University of Liverpool, explained that cancer risk is an important issue for companion animals, yet much of the diagnostic information has traditionally remained locked within private veterinary laboratories. Through SAVSNET, the Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network, the team sought to combine large volumes of diagnostic data into a single research-ready platform. He noted that the tumour registry already supports improved identification of breed-specific cancer risks and has prompted further investigation into how neutering practices may influence the likelihood of certain cancers. The dataset also provides new opportunities for research into the genetic drivers of cancer in companion animals.

José Rodríguez Torres, Veterinary Data Scientist at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, highlighted that large-scale analysis of cancer patterns is routine in human healthcare but has been difficult to achieve in veterinary medicine because of fragmented data sources. The new registry represents a significant advance, covering more than 200 animal breeds and over 150 tumour categories. This breadth allows researchers to examine tumour patterns across numerous breed and cancer combinations.

Dr Francesco Cian of BattLab, one of the diagnostic laboratories contributing data and a co-author of the research, noted that laboratory diagnostic results are typically used by veterinarians to guide treatment and advice for pet owners. By compiling anonymised laboratory records for research purposes, the project has generated valuable new insights into cancer risks affecting pets across a wide spectrum of tumour types.

The research team intends to continue expanding the registry through partnerships with additional veterinary laboratories while maintaining ongoing data collection. As the dataset grows, researchers expect to refine their analyses further, including comparisons between dogs diagnosed with tumours and the broader population of dogs in the United Kingdom.

A publicly accessible summary of the registry has been produced to support veterinarians, researchers, and pet owners seeking to better understand tumour risks in companion animals.

Part of the project’s findings focusing on canine tumours is presented in a recent publication in Veterinary and Comparative Oncology titled Epidemiology of Four Major Canine Tumours in the UK Insights From a National Pathology Registry With Comparative Oncology Perspectives (DOI:10.1111/vco.70056).

The research has been supported by funding from the Petplan Charitable Trust.

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SOURCE: University of Liverpool