Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
DNA methylation levels in dog oral melanomas and blood cells
By Nayra Villar Scattone et al.·Published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science·2021·Laboratory of Experimental and Comparative Oncology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, CH·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Quantification of Global DNA Methylation in Canine Melanotic and Amelanotic Oral Mucosal Melanomas and Peripheral Blood Leukocytes From the Same Patients With OMM: First Study
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study looked at oral melanomas in dogs, which are aggressive cancers that can be either melanotic (with pigment) or amelanotic (without pigment). Researchers found that amelanotic tumors had higher levels of a protein linked to cell growth, suggesting they are more aggressive than melanotic tumors. They also analyzed blood samples from dogs with these tumors and found no significant differences in DNA patterns between those with cancer and healthy dogs. This research helps us understand the biological differences between these types of oral cancers in dogs, but more studies are needed to explore treatment options.
People also search for: dog oral melanoma treatment · amelanotic melanoma in dogs · canine cancer blood tests
Abstract
Oral mucosal melanomas (OMMs) are aggressive and resistant cancers of high importance in veterinary oncology. Amelanotic OMM produces comparatively less melanin and is considered to be more aggressive than melanotic OMM. Global DNA methylation profiles with hypomethylated or hypermethylated patterns have both been associated with aggressive neoplasms; however, global DNA hypomethylation seems to correlate to higher aggressiveness. Accordingly, global DNA methylation in peripheral blood leukocytes has been investigated to understand the role of systemic or environmental factors in cancer development. This study aimed to quantify global DNA methylation in canine melanotic and amelanotic OMM samples and in the peripheral blood leukocytes of the same dogs. Tumor tissue samples were collected from 38 dogs, of which 19 were melanotic and 19 were amelanotic OMM. These were submitted to immunohistochemistry (IHC) with anti-5-methylcytosine (5mC) and anti-Ki67 primary antibodies. Ki67- and 5mC-positive nuclei were manually scored with the help of an image analysis system. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 18 among the 38 OMM-bearing dogs and from 7 additional healthy control dogs. Peripheral blood leukocytes were isolated from the 25 dogs, and DNA was extracted and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for global DNA methylation. The pattern of global DNA methylation in both canine melanotic and amelanotic OMM indicated higher percentages of weakly or negatively stained nuclei in most of the OMM cells, presuming predominant global DNA hypomethylation. In addition, Ki67 counts in amelanotic OMM were significantly higher than those in melanotic OMM (p < 0.001). Global DNA methylation different immunostaining patterns (strong, weak or negative) correlated with Ki67 scores. Global DNA methylation in circulating leukocytes did not differ between the 9 melanotic and 9 amelanotic OMM or between the 18 OMM-bearing dogs and the 7 healthy dogs. This study provides new information on canine melanotic and amelanotic OMM based on global DNA methylation and cell proliferation.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.680181