Which biomarker classes can BioVenic evaluate — cfDNA, miRNA, or protein markers?

BioVenic supports all three, alone or in combination. cfDNA and ctDNA are suited to tumor-specific mutation, copy number, and clonal rearrangement detection; miRNA profiling captures regulatory and tissue-of-origin signals; and protein markers provide functional, multi-analyte readouts. We help you select the class or combination that best fits the biological question and available samples.

Can you design a mutation or methylation panel for canine or feline cancers?

Yes. Panel design starts with the target tumor type and the available literature and sequence data, then selects species-relevant hotspots, copy number regions, clonal rearrangements, or methylation targets. Feasibility is reviewed against detection sensitivity and sample input before the panel is finalized.

How do you validate that a candidate biomarker is worth advancing?

Validation is planned in stages. Analytical validation establishes that the marker can be detected reproducibly at the required sensitivity and specificity, while biological validation tests whether the marker tracks the clinical or pathological feature of interest, such as tumor burden, response, or relapse. BioVenic reports both evidence strength and remaining limitations so you can decide confidently.

What does a typical liquid biopsy biomarker discovery project deliver, and how do I start?

Deliverables typically include a biomarker strategy, processed data or assay results, a documented workflow, and a validation summary with recommended next steps. To start, share the species, tumor type, sample matrix, monitoring question, and any prior data through the inquiry form, and our scientists will propose a feasibility-first plan.

Companion Animal Liquid Biopsy Biomarker Discovery Service

BioVenic supports veterinary diagnostics R&D teams with non-invasive liquid biopsy biomarker discovery for canine and feline oncology, covering cfDNA, miRNA, and protein marker strategy, plasma/serum processing, assay feasibility, and mutation or methylation panel planning.

Research-Use Diagnostics & Biomarker Assays

Non-Invasive Biomarkers for Canine and Feline Cancer Research

Tumor studies in dogs and cats frequently lack practical, repeatable ways to measure tumor burden, recurrence biology, and response to treatment without invasive sampling. Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA), microRNAs, and circulating proteins offer a promising route, but turning a candidate molecule into a defensible research biomarker requires disciplined sample processing, assay design, and validation.

BioVenic provides an end-to-end companion animal liquid biopsy service that helps diagnostics R&D teams, pathology laboratories, and academic core facilities move from a biological question to a validated marker strategy. We align every step with the species, tumor type, and monitoring question you are trying to answer.

Research Need at a Glance

›Minimally invasive readouts for tumor burden and recurrence
›Response monitoring across longitudinal sampling time points
›Species-aware cfDNA, miRNA, and protein marker strategy
›Feasibility-first panels with validation support

A Marker Strategy Built Around the Liquid Biopsy Question

The right biomarker class depends on the question. cfDNA and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) are well suited to tumor-specific mutation, copy number, and clonal rearrangement detection, while miRNA signatures can capture regulatory and tissue-of-origin signals and circulating proteins offer functional readouts for tumor biology. A single-molecule approach is often not enough.

BioVenic helps you select and combine marker classes into a coherent discovery plan, then defines the processing and assay steps that keep low-input veterinary samples informative. Every plan begins with feasibility, so effort is spent on markers that can actually be measured and reproduced in canine or feline plasma and serum.

cfDNA / ctDNA miRNA Profiling Protein Markers Methylation Panels Mutation Panels

Tumor Burden

Non-invasive estimation of disease load from cfDNA concentration and tumor-specific signal.

Recurrence Biology

Longitudinal markers that can reveal residual disease and molecular relapse dynamics.

Response Monitoring

Tracking marker kinetics against treatment response across sampling time points.

Assay Feasibility

Early verification that a candidate marker can be measured reproducibly in your matrix.

Liquid Biopsy Biomarker Discovery Services

BioVenic combines biomarker strategy, sample processing, assay design, and validation into one workflow so companion animal oncology teams can move from hypothesis to a research-ready marker.

cfDNA & ctDNA Marker Discovery

Plasma cfDNA extraction, quantification, and tumor-specific mutation, copy number, or clonal rearrangement detection for canine and feline cancers.

miRNA & Epigenetic Profiling

Circulating miRNA discovery and methylation marker evaluation for tissue-of-origin, recurrence, and regulatory signal studies.

Protein Marker Strategy

Circulating protein candidate selection and multi-analyte readouts to complement nucleic acid biomarkers.

Plasma & Serum Processing

Standardized collection, handling, and nucleic acid or protein isolation optimized for low-input veterinary samples.

Mutation & Methylation Panel Planning

Target selection and panel design for species-relevant hotspots, copy number, and epigenetic regions.

Validation Support

Analytical and biological validation planning to establish sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility.

From Question to Validated Companion Animal Biomarker

A staged workflow keeps discovery disciplined and each decision traceable, from study design through panel planning and validation.

01

Study Design

Define tumor type, sample matrix, and monitoring question.
02

Sample Processing

Optimize plasma or serum handling and extraction.
03

Marker Discovery

Profile candidate cfDNA, miRNA, or protein markers.
04

Panel Planning

Select species-relevant targets and build the assay plan.
05

Validation

Confirm sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility.

Choosing a Biomarker Class

cfDNA / ctDNA

Mutation, copy number, and clonal rearrangement detection.

miRNA

Regulatory and tissue-of-origin signatures.

Methylation

Epigenetic signals for early detection and origin.

Protein

Functional readouts and multi-analyte panels.

Not sure which liquid biopsy marker fits your canine or feline study?

Our scientific team can help you choose the marker class, panel, and validation plan that match your research goal.

Published Data Supporting Companion Animal Liquid Biopsy Biomarker Discovery

The figure shows circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) tracked alongside lymph node size in four dogs with multicentric lymphoma that received chemotherapy. For each patient, plasma ctDNA, expressed as a percentage of total cfDNA, declined after treatment initiation and rose again with progressive disease, closely mirroring changes in tumor burden; in one dog, molecular relapse was detected before clinical relapse.

The study used droplet digital PCR and PCR for antigen receptor rearrangement to detect tumor-specific point mutations, copy number alterations, and clonal rearrangements in plasma, then correlated those measurements with clinical response. Those steps — plasma processing, target selection, mutation or rearrangement panel design, sensitive detection, and longitudinal validation — are the same building blocks BioVenic applies when planning companion animal cfDNA, miRNA, or protein biomarker programs. BioVenic can adapt a comparable workflow to the canine or feline tumor type and the specific diagnostic or monitoring question your team needs to answer.

Companion animal liquid biopsy monitoring of circulating tumor DNA against lymph node size in canine lymphoma patients. (OA Literature) — Fig.1 Longitudinal ctDNA measurement tracks tumor burden and treatment response in dogs with multicentric lymphoma. ^1,2

Why Choose BioVenic for Companion Animal Liquid Biopsy Discovery

Species-aware study design connects each biomarker to the diagnostic question you actually need to answer.

Species-Aware Workflows

Biomarker workflows built for canine and feline tumor biology.

Multi-Analyte Strategy

Integrated cfDNA, miRNA, and protein marker strategy from one partner.

Low-Input Processing

Plasma and serum processing optimized for limited veterinary samples.

Feasibility-First Design

Assay feasibility reviewed before you commit valuable sample material.

Frequently Asked Questions About Companion Animal Liquid Biopsy Biomarker Discovery

Most projects use plasma or serum from canine or feline subjects, but the exact volume and matrix depend on the marker class and assay. Nucleic acid workflows typically begin with plasma, while protein readouts may use serum or plasma. BioVenic can advise on collection tubes, processing timing, and minimum volumes during study design so sample quality supports reproducible downstream results.

References

Prouteau, Anaïs, et al. "Circulating tumor DNA is detectable in canine histiocytic sarcoma, oral malignant melanoma, and multicentric lymphoma." Scientific Reports 11.1 (2021): 877. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-80332-y
Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.

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