Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Detecting canine BRAF mutation in urine to help diagnose bladder
By Fabio Gentilini et al.·Published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science·2022·Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy, CH·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Validation of a Liquid Biopsy Protocol for Canine BRAFV595E Variant Detection in Dog Urine and Its Evaluation as a Diagnostic Test Complementary to Cytology
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that a new urine test could help detect a specific type of bladder cancer in dogs, known as urothelial carcinoma. This test looks for a genetic change (BRAF V595E) that is often present in these tumors. Researchers found that the urine test was accurate and could complement traditional methods like tissue biopsies and cytology (examining cells under a microscope). In cases where both urine and tissue samples were tested, the results matched perfectly. This urine test could be a helpful tool for veterinarians in diagnosing bladder cancer in dogs.
People also search for: dog bladder cancer symptoms · urine test for dog cancer · urothelial carcinoma in dogs · BRAF test for dogs
Abstract
A significant proportion of canine urothelial carcinomas carry the driver valine to glutamic acid variation (V595E) in BRAF kinase. The detection of V595E may prove suitable to guide molecularly targeted therapies and support non-invasive diagnosis of the urogenital system by means of a liquid biopsy approach using urine. Three cohorts and a control group were included in this multi-step validation study which included setting up a digital PCR assay. This was followed by investigation of preanalytical factors and two alternative PCR techniques on a liquid biopsy protocol. Finally, a blind study using urine as diagnostic sample has been carried out to verify its suitability as diagnostic test to complement cytology. The digital PCR (dPCR) assay proved consistently specific, sensitive, and linear. Using the dPCR assay, the prevalence of V595E in 22 urothelial carcinomas was 90.9%. When compared with histopathology as gold standard in the blind-label cases, the diagnostic accuracy of using the canine BRAF (cBRAF) variation as a surrogate assay against the histologic diagnosis was 85.7% with 92.3% positive predictive value and 80.0% negative predictive value. In all the cases, in which both biopsy tissue and the associated urine were assayed, the findings matched completely. Finally, when combined with urine sediment cytology examination in blind-label cases with clinical suspicion of malignancy, the dPCR assay significantly improved the overall diagnostic accuracy. A liquid biopsy approach on urine using the digital PCR may be a valuable breakthrough in the diagnostic of urothelial carcinomas in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.909934