Advancing Comparative Oncology Through Large Scale Prospective Studies

This session explores how large scale prospective studies are reshaping the landscape of comparative oncology and accelerating translational impact across species. Attendees will gain an indepth understanding of why scale, structure, and forward‑looking design are essential for generating clinically meaningful insights that can inform both veterinary and human oncology.
The lecture highlights the unique strengths of prospective data collection (including standardized diagnostics, harmonized staging, longitudinal biospecimen capture, and real‑time detailed clinical annotation) and contrasts these with the limitations of retrospective datasets that have historically dominated the field. Through case examples and emerging multi‑center initiatives, this session will illustrate how coordinated prospective efforts enable more reliable biomarker discovery, more accurate assessment of therapeutic response, and more robust evaluation of disease heterogeneity.
We will also address the operational and scientific challenges inherent in building large prospective cohorts (aligning protocols across diverse clinical settings, ensuring data quality, integrating molecular profiling, and sustaining clinician engagement), strategies for overcoming these barriers (such as leveraging digital infrastructure, embedding workflows that can be achieved in a busy practice, and fostering collaboration) and how to design trials with an eye toward practical implementation.
Ultimately, the session positions large scale prospective studies as a critical engine for advancing comparative oncology, strengthening the evidence base for novel therapies, and deepening the bidirectional bridge between veterinary and human cancer research. Attendees will leave with a clearer vision of how coordinated prospective research can elevate clinical care today while enabling the discoveries of tomorrow.