What is STORM-Pets ?
What is STORM-Pets and how does it work? A project for the study of tumors and soft tissue sarcomas in dogs and cats.
STORM-Pets is a research project developed by the Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET) at the University of Bologna. The project aims to create the first comprehensive clinical–histopathological database dedicated to soft tissue tumors (STTs) in dogs and cats, providing a valuable resource for improving tumor classification, diagnosis, prognosis, and research.
How does the project work?
The project involves the collection of soft tissue tumors (STTs) of dogs and cats diagnosed at DIMEVET and partner institutions. Cases will undergo diagnostic re-evaluation according to the most recent classification guidelines, digitalization of histological slides, and, when required, immunohistochemical analyses to support challenging diagnoses. Clinical, histological, and molecular data will then be integrated into a digital database linked to biological samples (biobank). This integrated resource will support comparative and translational medicine studies, contributing to a better understanding of prognostic factors associated with these neoplasms.
Why is this project important for your pet?
The difficulty in predicting the clinical outcome of soft tissue tumors arises from the fragmented nature of the available information and the limited integration of clinical, morphological, and molecular data. Much of the knowledge currently available in the scientific literature is outdated and based on classification systems that are no longer used. STORM-Pets was created to address these gaps, by providing a comprehensive and updated resource to improve the understanding, diagnosis, and prognostic assessment of these tumors.