The role of acute phase proteins as prognostic factors in mast cell tumours and sarcomas in dogs

Chase, D., McLauchlan, G., Eckersall, P. and Pratschke, K. (2010) The role of acute phase proteins as prognostic factors in mast cell tumours and sarcomas in dogs. In: ECVS Annual Scientific Meeting, Helsinki, July 1-3,

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Abstract

<b>Introduction</b> The acute phase protein response is part of a non-specific and complex host response to inflammation. It occurs shortly after tissue injury and may be induced by a range of different causes, including infectious, inflammatory, neoplastic, traumatic or immunological disease. This is a prospective study, to evaluate the clinical significance of certain serum acute phase proteins (APPs) in dogs with cutaneous mast cell tumours and sarcomas. Specifically Serum Amyloid A (SAA), C-reactive protein (CRP), Haptoglobin (Hp) and Alpha 1-Acid Glycoprotein (AAG). The aim of the study was to investigate whether serum APP levels are related to tumour type and grade. <b>Materials and Methods</b> Client-owned dogs referred to Glasgow University Veterinary School for surgical and medical treatment of cutaneous mast cell tumours (N=9) and sarcomas (n=10). MCT’s were further divided into grades 1 (n=2), 2 (N=6) and 3 (n=1) and sarcoma into high grade(n=7) and low grade (n=3). Serum from each animal was submitted for APP analysis. Tumours were identified and staged following standard oncological protocols which included thoracic radiography and abdominal ultrasound in each case. The tumours were removed observing surgical oncological principals. Histological examination and grading was performed on each tumour APP levels from each group of tumours were compared against normal values using an unpaired student T test <b>Results</b> For patients in the MCT group, there was a significant difference from the normal range for both CRP and SAA (p=0.0087 and 0.05 respectively) but not for Hp and AGP. For patients in the high grade sarcoma group however there was a significant difference seen the normal range for Hp and AGP (p=0.006 and 0.005 respectively) but not for CRP and SAA <b>Conclusion</b> As this was a pilot study, the numbers in each group were small, and this compromises the validity of statistical evaluation. However some interesting relationships have emerged which suggest that collection of further case numbers is warranted. The results suggest that using specific combinations of serum APP’s for MCT’s and sarcomas may be useful as a screening test and possibly for assessing tumour burden. Equally, if a patient with a known tumour has a high result prior to commencing treatment, then it may be feasible to use the APP profile as a monitoring tool for recurrence following treatment.

Item Type:Conference Proceedings
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Eckersall, Professor David and Pratschke, Ms Kathryn and McLauchlan, Mr Gerard
Authors: Chase, D., McLauchlan, G., Eckersall, P., and Pratschke, K.
Subjects:S Agriculture > SF Animal culture > SF600 Veterinary Medicine
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
525631The potential role of acute phase proteins in assessment of tumour extent and prognosis in dogsKathryn PratschkeThe Kennel Club Charitable Trust (KCCT)UNSPECIFIEDVET - SMALL ANIMAL CLINICAL SCIENCES