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Aupperle-Lellbach H, Kehl A, de Brot S, van der Weyden L. Clinical Use of Molecular Biomarkers in Canine and Feline Oncology: Current and Future. Vet Sci 2024; 11:199. [PMID: 38787171 PMCID: PMC11126050 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11050199] [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: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Molecular biomarkers are central to personalised medicine for human cancer patients. It is gaining traction as part of standard veterinary clinical practice for dogs and cats with cancer. Molecular biomarkers can be somatic or germline genomic alterations and can be ascertained from tissues or body fluids using various techniques. This review discusses how these genomic alterations can be determined and the findings used in clinical settings as diagnostic, prognostic, predictive, and screening biomarkers. We showcase the somatic and germline genomic alterations currently available to date for testing dogs and cats in a clinical setting, discussing their utility in each biomarker class. We also look at some emerging molecular biomarkers that are promising for clinical use. Finally, we discuss the hurdles that need to be overcome in going 'bench to bedside', i.e., the translation from discovery of genomic alterations to adoption by veterinary clinicians. As we understand more of the genomics underlying canine and feline tumours, molecular biomarkers will undoubtedly become a mainstay in delivering precision veterinary care to dogs and cats with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heike Aupperle-Lellbach
- Laboklin GmbH&Co.KG, Steubenstr. 4, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany; (H.A.-L.); (A.K.)
- School of Medicine, Institute of Pathology, Technical University of Munich, Trogerstr. 18, 80333 München, Germany
| | - Alexandra Kehl
- Laboklin GmbH&Co.KG, Steubenstr. 4, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany; (H.A.-L.); (A.K.)
- School of Medicine, Institute of Pathology, Technical University of Munich, Trogerstr. 18, 80333 München, Germany
| | - Simone de Brot
- Institute of Animal Pathology, COMPATH, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland;
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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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Gao Y, Packeiser EM, Wendt S, Sekora A, Cavalleri JMV, Pratscher B, Alammar M, Hühns M, Brenig B, Junghanss C, Nolte I, Murua Escobar H. Cross-Species Comparison of the Pan-RAF Inhibitor LY3009120's Anti-Tumor Effects in Equine, Canine, and Human Malignant Melanoma Cell Lines. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:202. [PMID: 38397192 PMCID: PMC10887541 DOI: 10.3390/genes15020202] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanomas (MMs) are the abnormal proliferation of melanocytes and are one of the lethal skin cancers in humans, equines, and canines. Accordingly, MMs in companion animals can serve as naturally occurring animal models, completing conventional cancer models. The common constitutive activation of the MAPK and PI3K pathways in MMs has been described in all three species. Targeting the related pathways is considered a potential option in comparative oncologic approaches. Herein, we present a cross-species comparative analysis exposing a set of ten melanoma cell lines (one human, three equine, and six canine) derived from primary tumors or metastasis to a pan-RAF and RAF dimer inhibitor (LY3009120). Cellular response (proliferation, biomass, metabolism, early and late apoptosis/necrosis, and morphology) and the presence of pathogenic single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) within the mutational hotspot genes BRAF exon 11 and 15, NRAS exon 2 and 3, KRAS exon 2, and KIT exon 11 were analyzed. This study showed that equine malignant melanoma (EMM) cells (MelDuWi) harbor the KRAS p.Q61H mutation, while canine malignant melanoma (CMM) cells (cRGO1 and cRGO1.2) carry NRAS p.G13R. Except for EMM metastasis cells eRGO6 (wild type of the above-mentioned hotspot genes), all melanoma cell lines exhibited a decrease in dose dependence after 48 and 72 h of exposure to LY3009120, independent of the mutation hotspot landscape. Furthermore, LY3009120 caused significant early apoptosis and late apoptosis/necrosis in all melanoma cell lines except for eRGO6. The anti-tumor effects of LY3009120 were observed in nine melanoma cell lines, indicating the potential feasibility of experimental trials with LY3009120. The present study reveals that the irradiation-resistant canine metastasis cells (cRGO1.2) harboring the NRAS p.G13R mutation are significantly LY3009120-sensitive, while the equine metastases-derived eRGO6 cells show significant resistance to LY3009120, which make them both valuable tools for studying resistance mechanisms in comparative oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Gao
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III, Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Eva-Maria Packeiser
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Sophia Wendt
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III, Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Anett Sekora
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III, Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Jessika-Maximiliane V. Cavalleri
- Clinical Unit of Equine Internal Medicine, Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Pratscher
- Clinical Unit of Equine Internal Medicine, Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
- Clinical Unit of Small Animal Internal Medicine, Department for Companion Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Moosheer Alammar
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III, Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Maja Hühns
- Institute of Pathology, University Medicine of Rostock, Strempelstrasse, 18055 Rostock, Germany
| | - Bertram Brenig
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Division of Molecular Biology of Livestock and Molecular Diagnostics, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christian Junghanss
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III, Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Ingo Nolte
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Hugo Murua Escobar
- Department of Medicine, Clinic III, Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany
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Conrad D, Kehl A, Müller T, Klopfleisch R, Aupperle-Lellbach H. Immunohistochemical and Molecular Genetic Analysis of Canine Digital Mast Cell Tumours. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13101694. [PMID: 37238124 DOI: 10.3390/ani13101694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Grading, immunohistochemistry and c-kit mutation status are criteria for assessing the prognosis and therapeutic options of canine cutaneous mast cell tumours (MCTs). As a subset, canine digital MCTs have rarely been explored in this context. Therefore, in this retrospective study, 68 paraffin-embedded canine digital MCTs were analysed, and histological grading was assessed according to Patnaik and Kiupel. The immunohistochemical markers KIT and Ki67 were used, as well as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for mutational screening in c-kit exons 8, 9, 11 and 14. Patnaik grading resulted in 22.1% grade I, 67.6% grade II and 10.3% grade III tumours. Some 86.8% of the digital MCTs were Kiupel low-grade. Aberrant KIT staining patterns II and III were found in 58.8%, and a count of more than 23 Ki67-positive cells in 52.3% of the cases. Both parameters were significantly associated with an internal tandem duplication (ITD) in c-kit exon 11 (12.7%). French Bulldogs, which tend to form well-differentiated cutaneous MCTs, had a higher proportion of digital high-grade MCTs and ITD in c-kit exon 11 compared with mongrels. Due to its retrospective nature, this study did not allow for an analysis of survival data. Nevertheless, it may contribute to the targeted characterisation of digital MCTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Conrad
- Department of Pathology, Laboklin GmbH & Co. KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Kehl
- Department of Comparative Experimental Pathology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 München, Germany
- Department of Molecular Biology, Laboklin GmbH & Co. KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany
| | - Tobias Müller
- Department of Bioinformatics, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Robert Klopfleisch
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Heike Aupperle-Lellbach
- Department of Pathology, Laboklin GmbH & Co. KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany
- Department of Comparative Experimental Pathology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 München, Germany
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Blacklock KL, van der Weyden L. Advances in Understanding Spontaneously Occurring Melanoma in Animals. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10030210. [PMID: 36977249 PMCID: PMC10054773 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10030210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a tumour that arises from the uncontrolled proliferation of melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) found in the skin (cutaneous melanoma and digital melanoma), mucosal surfaces (oral melanoma), and the eye (ocular melanoma) [...]
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly L. Blacklock
- Hospital for Small Animals, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Louise van der Weyden
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-1223-834-244
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Aupperle-Lellbach H, Heidrich D, Kehl A, Conrad D, Brockmann M, Törner K, Beitzinger C, Müller T. KITLG Copy Number Germline Variations in Schnauzer Breeds and Their Relevance in Digital Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Black Giant Schnauzers. Vet Sci 2023; 10:147. [PMID: 36851451 PMCID: PMC9966798 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10020147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Copy number variations (CNVs) of the KITLG gene seem to be involved in the oncogenesis of digital squamous cell carcinoma (dSCC). The aims of this study were (1) to investigate KITLG CNV in giant (GS), standard (SS), and miniature (MS) schnauzers and (2) to compare KITLG CNV between black GS with and without dSCC. Blood samples from black GS (22 with and 17 without dSCC), black SS (18 with and 4 without dSSC; 5 unknown), and 50 MS (unknown dSSC status and coat colour) were analysed by digital droplet PCR. The results are that (1) most dogs had a copy number (CN) value > 4 (range 2.5-7.6) with no significant differences between GS, SS, and MS, and (2) the CN value in black GS with dSCC was significantly higher than in those without dSCC (p = 0.02). CN values > 5.8 indicate a significantly increased risk for dSCC, while CN values < 4.7 suggest a reduced risk for dSCC (grey area: 4.7-5.8). Diagnostic testing for KITLG CNV may sensitise owners to the individual risk of their black GS for dSCC. Further studies should investigate the relevance of KITLG CNV in SS and the protective effects in MS, who rarely suffer from dSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - David Conrad
- LABOKLIN GmbH & Co. KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany
| | | | - Katrin Törner
- LABOKLIN GmbH & Co. KG, 97688 Bad Kissingen, Germany
| | | | - Tobias Müller
- Institut für Bioinformatik, Universität Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
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Aupperle-Lellbach H, Grassinger JM, Floren A, Törner K, Beitzinger C, Loesenbeck G, Müller T. Tumour Incidence in Dogs in Germany: a Retrospective Analysis of 109,616 Histopathological Diagnoses (2014-2019). J Comp Pathol 2022; 198:33-55. [PMID: 36116890 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2022.07.009] [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: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Characterization of a tumour entity is based on the precise histopathological diagnosis taking into account the signalment of the diseased animal. The present study is a comprehensive, up-to-date statistical investigation on the type, frequency and breed distribution of neoplasia in dogs in Germany. The histopathological datasets of 109,616 German canine tissue samples (2014-2019) were processed and statistically examined in retrospect. Non-neoplastic diseases were found in 38,650 samples (35.3%) and 70,966 neoplasms (64.7%) were diagnosed. The most common neoplasms were mammary tumours (21.9%), benign epithelial skin tumours (15.4%), mast cell tumour (9.7%), histiocytoma (7.0%), soft tissue sarcoma (5.8%), lipoma (5.8%), melanocytic tumours (5.2%) and odontogenic tumours (4.7%). In general, Beagles, Magyar Vizslas, Boxers, Schnauzers, Spaniels, French Bulldogs and Golden Retrievers had an increased risk of neoplasia (odds ratio 1.17-1.46; all: P ≤0.001) compared with crossbreed dogs. In particular, Boxers, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers and Schnauzers were often affected by malignant neoplasms, whereas some breeds (eg, West Highland White Terrier, Magyar Vizsla, Chihuahua, Dachshund and Yorkshire Terrier) were frequently affected by numerous benign tumour types. Despite the known risk of haemangiosarcoma in German Shepherd Dogs, other malignant tumours were rare in this breed. Depending on the type of tumour, some purebred dog breeds can have an increased, reduced or identical risk for certain neoplasms compared with crossbreeds. Discussion of breed predispositions to tumour diseases must therefore be conducted critically and with a view to clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Andreas Floren
- Institut für Bioinformatik, Julius-Maximilians-Universität, Würzburg, Germany; Institut für Tierökologie und Tropenbiologie, Lehrstuhl für Zoologie III (Tierökologie), Würzburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Tobias Müller
- Institut für Bioinformatik, Julius-Maximilians-Universität, Würzburg, Germany
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