Early study connects dogs' cancer survival with gut microbiome

Oregon State University research finds certain bacteria linked to longer or shorter survival in canine cancer patients receiving immunotherapy.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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A clinical trial led by Oregon State University scientists found that the composition of a dog's gut microbiome, the community of organisms living in its gut, can impact how long the dog lives after receiving a new type of cancer vaccine. The study involved 51 dogs of various ages and breeds diagnosed with a range of cancers, and identified 11 specific bacteria that were linked to either longer or shorter survival.

Why it matters

This research suggests that analyzing a dog's microbiome could help predict how well they might respond to cancer treatment, allowing pet owners and veterinarians to make more informed decisions about care. It also opens the door to potentially manipulating a dog's gut microbiome to improve the effectiveness of cancer therapies.

The details

The study, published in Veterinary Oncology, involved dogs receiving a new cancer vaccine designed to trigger the immune system to block two cancer cell proteins. Prior to treatment, the scientists collected rectal swab samples from the dogs to analyze their microbiomes. They found that 11 specific types of bacteria were linked to how long the dogs lived - some were associated with longer survival, while others were linked to shorter survival.

  • The study was published on February 17, 2026.

The players

Natalia Shulzhenko

A scientist at Oregon State University's Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine who studies host-microbiota interactions and led the research.

Andrey Morgun

A co-leader of the research from the OSU College of Pharmacy.

National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health

Provided funding for the study.

Canine Cancer Alliance

Provided funding for the study.

Biomedical Sciences Department of the Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine

Provided funding for the study.

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What they’re saying

“Our study is a first step toward using the gut microbiome as a tool to develop prognoses and to manipulate cancer, not just in dogs, but potentially as a model for human treatments as well.”

— Natalia Shulzhenko (oregonstate.edu)

“In the future, an analysis of a microbiome swab could help predict how well a dog might respond to a cancer treatment. This allows pet owners and vets to make more informed decisions about care. And now that we know certain bacteria are linked to survival, we can explore ways to 'fix' a dog's gut microbiome to help the vaccine work better and help the dog live longer.”

— Natalia Shulzhenko (oregonstate.edu)

What’s next

The researchers plan to further explore ways to manipulate the gut microbiome to improve the effectiveness of cancer treatments for dogs.

The takeaway

This pioneering research suggests that a dog's gut microbiome could be a powerful tool for predicting cancer treatment outcomes and potentially improving them, opening up new avenues for personalized veterinary care that could also have implications for human cancer treatments.