Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Potential treatment targets in dog thyroid cancer tumors
By Campos, M et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2014·Department of Medicine and Clinical Biology of Small Animals·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Immunohistochemical expression of potential therapeutic targets in canine thyroid carcinoma.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 74 dogs with thyroid tumors was studied to find new treatment options for those with inoperable or advanced cancer. The majority of the tumors were classified as follicular cell thyroid carcinomas (FTCs) or medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs). Researchers found that a protein called VEGF was present in a high percentage of these tumors, suggesting it could be a target for new therapies. Additionally, other proteins like cox-2 and P-glycoprotein were also identified as potential targets, especially in MTCs. This research could lead to better treatment options for dogs suffering from thyroid cancer.
People also search for: dog thyroid cancer treatment · canine thyroid tumor symptoms · what is VEGF in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Thyroid carcinoma is a common endocrine tumor in the dog. Local invasive growth frequently precludes surgical excision and, in up to 38% of dogs, the tumor has already metastasized by the time of diagnosis. Therefore, it is important to investigate new treatment modalities that may be useful for the large number of dogs with inoperable tumors or metastatic disease. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To investigate the immunohistochemical expression of potential therapeutic targets in canine thyroid tumors. ANIMALS: 74 dogs with thyroid neoplasia. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was performed for thyroglobulin, calcitonin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), p53, cycloxygenase-2 (cox-2), and P-glycoprotein (P-gp). RESULTS: Fifty-four (73%) tumors were classified as follicular cell thyroid carcinomas (FTCs) and 20 (27%) as medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs). Eighty percent of FTCs and all MTCs had a high percentage (76-100%) of neoplastic cells immunopositive for VEGF. Thirteen percent of FTCs and 50% of MTCs expressed cox-2. Seven percent of FTCs and 70% of MTCs expressed P-gp. No tumor was immunopositive for p53 expression. Expression of VEGF (P = .034), cox-2 (P = .013), and P-gp (P < .001) was significantly higher in MTCs compared to FTCs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: VEGF is a potential therapeutic target in both FTC and MTC in dogs. Cox-2 and P-gp may be useful molecular targets in canine MTC.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24612088/