Abstract P2-05-05: Canine invasive mammary carcinoma as a spontaneous model for insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor-overexpressing triple negative breast cancer

Background: Dogs spontaneously develop invasive mammary carcinoma with a high prevalence of the triple-negative subtype, making this model relevant for the investigation of new therapeutic pathways. Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) is extensively involved in malignant transformation, proliferation and metastasis in human breast cancer and multiple clinical trials have used IGF-1R inhibitors with encouraging results.

Aims: To quantify IGF-1R expression in canine triple-negative invasive mammary carcinoma (TN-CMC) and assess its prognostic value (overall, specific and disease-free survival). To validate the dog as a spontaneous animal model for preclinical trials targeting IGF-1R in triple-negative breast cancer.

Material and methods: 104 triple-negative canine invasive mammary carcinomas (Estrogen receptor negative, Progesterone receptor negative, not HER2 overexpressing) were included. Bitches were followed for at least 2 years after mastectomy. TN-CMC were classified as basal-like (Cytokeratin-CK 5/6 positive and/or Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-EGFR positive) and non-basal-like (CK 5/6 and EGFR negative). IGF-1R expression (clone G11) was quantified using the same scoring system as for HER2 in breast cancer.

Results: 68.3% (n = 71/104) of the TN-CMC were classified as basal-like and 31.7% (n = 33/104) as non-basal-like. 45.2% (n = 47/104) of TN-CMC overexpressed IGF-1R (score 3+), of which 70.2% (n = 33/47) were basal-like and 61.7% (n = 29/47) were grade III. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that IGF-1R overexpression (score 3+) was associated with significantly shorter overall, specific and disease-free survivals (median: 163, 332 and 278 days respectively) than weak (score 1+) IGF-1R expression (median: 842 days, not achieved and 1011 days respectively).

Conclusion and perspectives: IGF-1R overexpression is common and related to a poor outcome in canine triple-negative invasive mammary carcinoma. Preclinical studies using the dog as a spontaneous animal model for triple-negative breast cancer could be considered to investigate new therapies targeting IGF-1R.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P2-05-05.

Effects of thyroxin therapy on different analytes related to obesity and inflammation in dogs with hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism in dogs is accompanied by changes in intermediary metabolism including alterations in bodyweight (BW), insulin resistance, and lipid profile. In this study, changes in selected adipokines (adiponectin, leptin), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and acute phase proteins, including C-reactive protein, haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA), were studied in dogs with hypothyroidism under thyroxin therapy. Blood samples were collected when hypothyroidism was diagnosed (before treatment) and after treatment with thyroxin. Twenty-eight of 39 dogs exhibited a good therapeutic response (group A), whereas the remainder were considered to have been insufficiently treated (group B). Following treatment, group A dogs demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in canine thyroid stimulating hormone (c-TSH) (P<0.001) and an increase in free thyroxine (fT4) (P<0.001) concentrations, associated with a significant decrease in BW (P<0.05), leptin (P<0.01), and adiponectin, (P<0.001) and an increase in BChE (P<0.01) and Hp (P<0.05). Group B dogs showed no statistically significant changes in c-TSH, but had a significant increase in fT4 (P<0.001) accompanied by a significant decrease in adiponectin (P<0.05) of lower magnitude than group A. No significant changes in the mean circulating levels of APPs were observed in both groups, with the exception of an increase in Hp (P<0.05) in group A. In summary, the successful treatment of hypothyroidism reduces circulating levels of adiponectin and leptin, while increasing BChE activity in dogs. The mean increase in Hp values and decrease in SAA for some of the dogs after treatment warrants further investigation.

Variations of plasma leptin in show horses during a work season

Leptin is an adipocytokine mainly expressed by adipose tissue. Secretion of leptin in healthy animals is closely related to fat mass and metabolic activity. The aim of this study was to investigate plasma leptin variations, in relation to nutritional and exercise parameters in adult show horses during a work season. EDTA-blood samples were taken at rest from 37 Iberian horses. Body weight, body condition score and fat percentage determined by ultrasonic measurement of rump fat thickness were measured. Plasma leptin was determined with a multi-species RIA kit. Linear mixed effects model was used to assess relationship between plasma leptin and other biological parameters. Plasma leptin concentration was <12.6 ng/ml (mean = 2.8 ± 1.6 ng/ml) and was significantly higher during training periods (p < 0.0001) (4.5 ± 1.7 ng/ml) than in show periods (2.0 ± 1.1 ng/ml), despite a significant increase (p < 0.0001) in energy intake. The body weight remained almost constant. The plasma leptin concentrations were significantly affected by exercise (p < 0.0001), body weight (p = 0.04) and BCS (p < 0.0001), but were not affected by percentage of fat. In conclusion, the marked decrease in leptin values observed during a period of intense (i.e. excessive) exercise could result from an adaptation to cumulative alterations in energy balance, to exercise per se or to a combination of both.