Biomarkers in Osteosarcoma – a Potential Translational Bridge Between Human and Canine Osteosarcoma (OSA)

Osteosarcoma (OSA) is a naturally occurring, malignant bone tumor in both humans and canines, characterized by aggressive local behavior and a high propensity for metastasis. Despite advances in diagnostic methods and therapies, long-term survival rates have remained stagnant, underscoring the great need for the development of biomarkers serving in the prognosis and diagnosis of OSA across species. Biomarkers, molecular indicators of disease presence or progression, are pivotal tools in oncology, offering the potential to determine risk stratification, guide targeted therapies, and monitor treatment response. 
This review provides an in-depth analysis of the current landscape of OSA biomarkers, highlighting diagnostic and prognostic markers identified across species. We highlighted the role of biomarkers in osteosarcoma diagnosis and prognosis, and categorized them across multiple domains, including protein, cellular, metabolic, imaging, genetic, and epigenetic markers. Furthermore, we explore the utility of the canine model in osteosarcoma research, emphasizing its relevance to human OSA due to comparable diagnostic approaches, prognostic indicators, and clinical manifestations. With this review, we aim to demonstrate that integrating biomarker research across species can deepen our understanding of osteosarcoma pathogenesis and advance knowledge of its underlying biology, ultimately paving the way for precision medicine strategies that benefit both human and veterinary oncology.