Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Markers Ki-67 and AgNOR predict survival in dog mast cell tumors
By Scase, Timothy J et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2006·Oncology Research Group, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Canine mast cell tumors: correlation of apoptosis and proliferation markers with prognosis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study looked at dogs with skin tumors called mast cell tumors (MCTs) to see how certain markers could help predict their survival. The researchers found that a specific marker called Ki-67 was particularly useful for dogs with grade 2 MCTs. Dogs with a Ki-67 score below 1.8 had a much better chance of surviving longer than those with a higher score. For example, about 92% of dogs with a lower score were still alive after one year, compared to only 43% of those with a higher score. This information can help veterinarians better understand the prognosis for dogs with these tumors and tailor treatment accordingly.
People also search for: dog mast cell tumor prognosis · Ki-67 score in dogs · mast cell tumor treatment options
Abstract
The Patnaik histologic grading system is commonly used to predict the behavior of cutaneous mast cell tumors (MCTs) in dogs, but it is less useful for grade 2 MCTs because they exhibit considerable variation in biological behavior. In this retrospective study, immunohistochemical staining for Ki-67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and survivin and a standardized argyrophilic staining of nucleolar organizer regions (AgNOR) protocol were performed on 121 archived paraffin-embedded specimens of canine cutaneous MCTs, for which clinical follow-up data were available. Cox regression models indicated that the Ki-67 score (hazard ratio, 1.92; P < .001) and mean AgNOR score (hazard ratio, 2.57; P < .001) were significantly associated with Patnaik grade and survival time. A binary Ki-67 variable (cutoff point Ki-67 score = 1.8) was a significant predictor of survival for dogs with grade 2 MCTs. The estimated 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival probabilities for dogs with grade 2 MCTs and Ki-67 scores less than 1.8 were 0.92, 0.86, and 0.77, respectively (SEs, 0.08, 0.14, and 0.23, respectively; median not estimable). The corresponding survival probabilities for dogs with grade 2 MCTs and Ki-67 scores higher than 1.8 were 0.43, 0.21, and 0.21, respectively (SEs, 0.19, 0.18, and 0.18, respectively; median survival time, 395 days). No significant association was identified between survival and survivin score or PCNA score. This study shows that both mean AgNOR score and Ki-67 score are prognostic markers for canine MCTs. The Ki-67 score can be used to divide Patnaik grade 2 MCTs into 2 groups with markedly different expected survival times.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16496935/