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Flory A, Wilson-Robles H. Noninvasive Blood-Based Cancer Detection in Veterinary Medicine. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2024; 54:541-558. [PMID: 38195361 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2023.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
The past decade has seen incredible advances in blood-based cancer detection in people and in dogs - yet this represents only a glimpse of the benefits these tests can provide to patients. The clinical uses of this technology range from screening asymptomatic individuals for early detection to use as an aid in diagnosis when cancer is suspected, to cancer monitoring both during and after treatment. This article summarizes the benefits of early cancer detection and examines use cases and methods of blood-based cancer detection in dogs, including quantitative, qualitative, and alternative approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andi Flory
- PetDx, 9310 Athena Circle, Suite 230, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Heather Wilson-Robles
- Volition Veterinary Diagnostics Development, LLC 1489 West Warm Springs Road Suite 110, Henderson, NV 89014, USA; Ethos Discovery, 10435 Sorrento Valley Road, San Diego, CA 92121, USA; The Oncology Service, United Veterinary Health, 6651 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22150, USA
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Kehl A, Aupperle-Lellbach H, de Brot S, van der Weyden L. Review of Molecular Technologies for Investigating Canine Cancer. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:769. [PMID: 38473154 DOI: 10.3390/ani14050769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic molecular testing is starting to gain traction as part of standard clinical practice for dogs with cancer due to its multi-faceted benefits, such as potentially being able to provide diagnostic, prognostic and/or therapeutic information. However, the benefits and ultimate success of genomic analysis in the clinical setting are reliant on the robustness of the tools used to generate the results, which continually expand as new technologies are developed. To this end, we review the different materials from which tumour cells, DNA, RNA and the relevant proteins can be isolated and what methods are available for interrogating their molecular profile, including analysis of the genetic alterations (both somatic and germline), transcriptional changes and epigenetic modifications (including DNA methylation/acetylation and microRNAs). We also look to the future and the tools that are currently being developed, such as using artificial intelligence (AI) to identify genetic mutations from histomorphological criteria. In summary, we find that the molecular genetic characterisation of canine neoplasms has made a promising start. As we understand more of the genetics underlying these tumours and more targeted therapies become available, it will no doubt become a mainstay in the delivery of precision veterinary care to dogs with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Kehl
- Laboklin GmbH & Co. KG, Steubenstr. 4, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany
- School of Medicine, Institute of Pathology, Technical University of Munich, Trogerstr. 18, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Heike Aupperle-Lellbach
- Laboklin GmbH & Co. KG, Steubenstr. 4, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany
- School of Medicine, Institute of Pathology, Technical University of Munich, Trogerstr. 18, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Simone de Brot
- Institute of Animal Pathology, COMPATH, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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Vilfan M, Lampreht Tratar U, Milevoj N, Nemec Svete A, Čemažar M, Serša G, Tozon N. Comparison of Nucleosome, Ferritin and LDH Levels in Blood with Clinical Response before and after Electrochemotherapy Combined with IL-12 Gene Electrotransfer for the Treatment of Mast Cell Tumours in Dogs. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:438. [PMID: 38338081 PMCID: PMC10854863 DOI: 10.3390/ani14030438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Electrochemotherapy (ECT) in combination with the gene electrotransfer of interleukin 12 (IL-12 GET) has been successfully used in veterinary medicine for the treatment of mast cell tumours (MCT), but the biomarkers that could predict response to this treatment have not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the plasma nucleosome and serum ferritin concentrations, as well as the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, in the serum of treated patients before and one and six months after treatment to evaluate their utility as potential biomarkers that could predict response to the combined treatment. The study was conducted in 48 patients with a total of 86 MCTs that we treated with the combined treatment. The blood samples used for analysing the potential predictive biomarkers were taken before treatment and one and six months after treatment, when the response to treatment was also assessed. The Nu. Q® Vet Cancer Test, the Canine Ferritin ELISA Kit, and the RX Daytona+ automated biochemical analyser were used to analyse the blood samples. The results showed that the plasma nucleosome concentration (before treatment (BT): 32.84 ng/mL (median); one month after treatment (1 M AT): 58.89 ng/mL (median); p = 0.010) and serum LDH activity (BT: 59.75 U/L (median); 1 M AT: 107.5 U/L (median); p = 0.012) increased significantly one month after treatment and that the increase correlated significantly with the presence of a more pronounced local reaction (necrosis, swelling, etc.) at that time point for both markers (nucleosome: BT (necrosis): 21.61 ng/mL (median); 1 M AT (necrosis): 69.92 ng/mL (median), p = 0.030; LDH: BT (necrosis): 54.75 U/L (median); 1 M AT (necrosis): 100.3 U/L (median), p = 0.048). Therefore, both the plasma nucleosome concentration and serum LDH activity could serve as early indicators of the effect of the treatment. In this context, the serum ferritin concentration showed no significant predictive potential for treatment response (p > 0.999 for all comparisons). In conclusion, this study provides some new and important observations on the use of predictive biomarkers in veterinary oncology. Furthermore, it emphasises the need for the continued identification and validation of potential predictive biomarkers in dogs with MCT and other malignancies undergoing ECT treatment in combination with IL-12 GET to ultimately improve treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maša Vilfan
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia (U.L.T.); (A.N.S.)
| | - Urša Lampreht Tratar
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia (U.L.T.); (A.N.S.)
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.Č.); (G.S.)
| | - Nina Milevoj
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia (U.L.T.); (A.N.S.)
| | - Alenka Nemec Svete
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia (U.L.T.); (A.N.S.)
| | - Maja Čemažar
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.Č.); (G.S.)
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, 6310 Izola, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Serša
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.Č.); (G.S.)
| | - Nataša Tozon
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia (U.L.T.); (A.N.S.)
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Van den Ackerveken P, Lobbens A, Pamart D, Kotronoulas A, Rommelaere G, Eccleston M, Herzog M. Epigenetic profiles of elevated cell free circulating H3.1 nucleosomes as potential biomarkers for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16335. [PMID: 37770512 PMCID: PMC10539380 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43520-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
During cell death, nucleosomes, the basic structural unit of chromatin, are released into the blood stream and elevated levels have been found in the plasma of patients with solid cancers. In this study, we demonstrate an increase in cell free circulating H3.1-nucleosomes levels in plasma samples from patients with hematological malignancy, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), relative to healthy donors. As histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) of circulating nucleosomes are described as potential biomarkers of various solid cancers, we investigated the epigenetic profile of nucleosomes from NHL patients following nucleosome enrichment (Nu.Q® capture) combined with mass spectrometry. Eight histones PTMs, including the acetylation of histone H3 at lysine 9, 14 and 18 as well as the methylation state of histone H3 at lysine 9, 27 and 36, were identified at a higher level in the plasma of NHL patients compared to healthy donors. These results were confirmed in a larger clinical cohort by immunoassay. Subsequently, the temporal profile of these histone PTMs in NHL patients undergoing treatment course highlighted the potential use of these new biomarkers to monitor treatment response and/or disease progression. Our results substantiate that levels of H3.1-nucleosomes are particularly elevated in NHL patients and may be a useful diagnostic tool. Moreover, our work emphasizes the crucial roles of the epigenetic marks present on circulating nucleosomes to detect and monitor tumor progression and/or treatment response of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alison Lobbens
- Belgian Volition SRL, 22 Rue Phocas Lejeune, Parc Scientifique Crealys, 5032, Isnes, Belgium
| | - Dorian Pamart
- Belgian Volition SRL, 22 Rue Phocas Lejeune, Parc Scientifique Crealys, 5032, Isnes, Belgium
| | - Aristotelis Kotronoulas
- Belgian Volition SRL, 22 Rue Phocas Lejeune, Parc Scientifique Crealys, 5032, Isnes, Belgium
| | - Guillaume Rommelaere
- Belgian Volition SRL, 22 Rue Phocas Lejeune, Parc Scientifique Crealys, 5032, Isnes, Belgium
| | - Mark Eccleston
- Belgian Volition SRL, 22 Rue Phocas Lejeune, Parc Scientifique Crealys, 5032, Isnes, Belgium
| | - Marielle Herzog
- Belgian Volition SRL, 22 Rue Phocas Lejeune, Parc Scientifique Crealys, 5032, Isnes, Belgium.
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Wilson-Robles H, Warry E, Miller T, Jarvis J, Matsushita M, Miller P, Herzog M, Turatsinze JV, Kelly TK, Butera ST, Michel G. Monitoring plasma nucleosome concentrations to measure disease response and progression in dogs with hematopoietic malignancies. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281796. [PMID: 37163491 PMCID: PMC10171669 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hematopoietic malignancies are extremely common in pet dogs and represent nearly 30% of the malignancies diagnosed in this population each year. Clinicians commonly use existing tools such as physical exam findings, radiographs, ultrasound and baseline blood work to monitor these patients for treatment response and remission. Circulating biomarkers, such as prostate specific antigen or carcinoembryonic antigen, can be useful tools for monitoring treatment response and remission status in human cancer patients. To date, there has a been a lack of useful circulating biomarkers available to veterinary oncology patients. METHODS Circulating plasma nucleosome concentrations were evaluated at diagnosis, throughout treatment and during remission monitoring for 40 dogs with lymphoma, acute myelogenous leukemia and multiple myeloma. Additionally, C-reactive protein and thymidine kinase-1 levels were recorded. RESULTS Plasma nucleosome concentrations were significantly higher at diagnosis and progressive disease than they were when dogs were in remission. All but two dogs had plasma nucleosome concentrations that returned to the low range during treatment. These two dogs had the shortest progression free and overall survival times. Dogs with the highest plasma nucleosome concentrations had a significantly shorter first progression free survival than dogs with lower plasma nucleosome concentrations at diagnosis. Plasma nucleosome concentrations correlated better with disease response and progression than either thymidine kinase or C reactive protein. CONCLUSIONS Plasma nucleosome concentrations can be a useful tool for treatment monitoring and disease progression in dogs with hematopoietic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Wilson-Robles
- Small Animal Clinical Sciences Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- Volition Veterinary Diagnostics Development, Henderson, Nevada, United States of America
| | - Emma Warry
- Small Animal Clinical Sciences Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Tasha Miller
- Small Animal Clinical Sciences Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jill Jarvis
- Small Animal Clinical Sciences Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Matthew Matsushita
- Small Animal Clinical Sciences Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Pamela Miller
- Small Animal Clinical Sciences Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Marielle Herzog
- Belgian Volition SRL, Parc Scientifique Crealys, Isnes, Belgium
| | | | - Theresa K Kelly
- Volition America LLC, Henderson, Nevada, United States of America
| | - S Thomas Butera
- Volition Veterinary Diagnostics Development, Henderson, Nevada, United States of America
| | - Gaetan Michel
- Belgian Volition SRL, Parc Scientifique Crealys, Isnes, Belgium
- Volition America LLC, Henderson, Nevada, United States of America
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Wilson-Robles HM, Bygott T, Kelly TK, Miller TM, Miller P, Matsushita M, Terrell J, Bougoussa M, Butera T. Evaluation of plasma nucleosome concentrations in dogs with a variety of common cancers and in healthy dogs. BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:329. [PMID: 36045415 PMCID: PMC9429572 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03429-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cell free DNA, in the form of nucleosomes, is released into circulation during apoptosis and necrosis in a variety of diseases. They are small fragments of chromosomes that are composed of DNA wrapped around a histone core made of four duplicate histone proteins forming an octamer. The nucleosome compartment is a relatively uninvestigated area of circulating tumor biomarkers in dogs. The objectives of this study were to quantify and better characterize nucleosome concentrations in 528 dogs with various common malignancies and compare them to 134 healthy dogs. Results The sensitivity of increased circulating nucleosome concentrations for the detection of cancer in all dogs was 49.8% with a specificity of 97% with an area under the curve of 68.74%. The top 4 malignancies detected by the test included lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma, histiocytic sarcoma and malignant melanoma. The malignancies least likely to be detected were soft tissue sarcomas, osteosarcoma and mast cell tumors. Conclusions A variety of tumor types may cause increased nucleosome concentrations in dogs. Tumors of hematopoietic origin are most likely to cause elevations and local tumors such as soft tissue sarcomas are least likely to cause elevations in plasma nucleosome concentrations.
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Goggs R, Robbins SN, LaLonde‐Paul DM, Menard JM. Serial analysis of blood biomarker concentrations in dogs with pneumonia, septic peritonitis, and pyometra. J Vet Intern Med 2022; 36:549-564. [PMID: 35103342 PMCID: PMC8965213 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prolonged antimicrobial drug (AMD) treatment is associated with antimicrobial resistance development. Biomarker measurement may aid treatment decision-making. OBJECTIVES Investigate temporal changes in blood biomarker concentrations in dogs undergoing treatment for pulmonary and intra-abdominal infections; compare time to biomarker concentration normalization with duration of clinician-directed AMD treatment. ANIMALS Forty-two client-owned dogs with pneumonia (n = 22), septic peritonitis (n = 10), or pyometra (n = 10). METHODS Plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin, procalcitonin, nucleosomes, cell-free DNA (cfDNA), high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1), CC-motif chemokine ligand-2 (CCL2), CXC-motif chemokine ligand-8 (CXCL8), and keratinocyte chemoattractant-like (KC-Like) were quantitated in samples collected on days 1, 3, 7, 14, 28, and 60. Treatment was directed by clinicians blinded to biomarker concentrations. RESULTS Concentrations of CCL2, CRP, and KC-Like were maximal on D1, concentrations of SAA, cfDNA, HMGB1, and nucleosomes were maximal on D3 and haptoglobin concentrations were maximal on D7. These maximal concentrations were significantly different from those on D60. Concentrations of CRP and SAA decreased by 80% from peak and into respective reference intervals before AMDs were discontinued. For CRP, the median (interquartile range [IQR]) times to 20% peak and normal were 7 (6-9) and 7 (6-12) days, respectively, and for SAA they were 4 (4, 5) and 6 (5-8) days, respectively, compared to a median (IQR) duration of AMD prescribing of 16 (12-23) days (all P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Biomarker concentrations normalized within 7 to 14 days. Serial measurements of CRP and SAA might aid identification of disease resolution and could help guide AMD prescription decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Goggs
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary MedicineCornell UniversityIthacaNew YorkUSA
| | - Sarah N. Robbins
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary MedicineCornell UniversityIthacaNew YorkUSA
| | - Denise M. LaLonde‐Paul
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary MedicineCornell UniversityIthacaNew YorkUSA
| | - Julie M. Menard
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of CalgaryCalgaryAlbertaCanada
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