Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
PI3K signaling role in cortisol tumors of dogs
By Kool, M M J et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2015·Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Netherlands·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Insulin-like growth factor--phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase signaling in canine cortisol-secreting adrenocortical tumors.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study looked at 36 dogs with cortisol-secreting adrenal tumors, which can cause a condition called hypercortisolism. The researchers found that a specific signaling pathway (PI3K) was activated in malignant tumors but not in benign ones. They also noted that certain markers, like ERBB2, could be potential targets for future treatments, while ID1 and ID2 might help predict how likely the tumor is to come back after surgery. This information could lead to better treatment options for dogs suffering from these tumors.
People also search for: dog adrenal tumor treatment · hypercortisolism in dogs · ERBB2 in canine tumors
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hypercortisolism is a common endocrine disorder in dogs, caused by a cortisol-secreting adrenocortical tumor (AT) in approximately 15% of cases. In adrenocortical carcinomas of humans, activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway by insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling represents a promising therapeutic target. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the involvement of PI3K signaling in the pathogenesis of ATs in dogs and to identify pathway components that may hold promise as future therapeutic targets or as prognostic markers. ANIMALS: Analyses were performed on 36 canine cortisol-secreting ATs (11 adenomas and 25 carcinomas) and 15 normal adrenal glands of dogs. METHODS: mRNA expression analysis was performed for PI3K target genes, PI3K inhibitor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), IGFs, IGF receptors, IGF binding proteins and epidermal growth factor receptors. Mutation analysis was performed on genes encoding PTEN and PI3K catalytic subunit (PIK3CA). RESULTS: Target gene expression indicated PI3K activation in carcinomas, but not in adenomas. No amino acid-changing mutations were detected in PTEN or PIK3CA and no significant alterations in IGF-II or IGFR1 expression were detected. In carcinomas, ERBB2 expression tended to be higher than in normal adrenal glands, and higher expression of inhibitor of differentiation 1 and 2 (ID1 and ID2) was detected in carcinomas with recurrence within 2.5 years after adrenalectomy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Based on these results, ERBB2 might be a promising therapeutic target in ATs in dogs, whereas ID1 and 2 might be valuable as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25619516/