Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
VEGF and MMP-9 levels linked to canine lymphoma severity
By Aresu, L et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative oncology·2014·Department of Public Health, Italy·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 We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above.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: VEGF and MMP-9: biomarkers for canine lymphoma.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 37 dogs with lymphoma had their blood tested for certain proteins called VEGF and MMP-9, which can indicate cancer activity. The results showed that dogs with lymphoma had higher levels of these proteins compared to healthy dogs, especially in more advanced stages of the disease. During chemotherapy, levels of these proteins decreased in dogs with B-cell lymphoma, suggesting that monitoring them could help predict how well the treatment is working. While the study didn't find a direct link between these protein levels at the start and the overall outcome, the changes during treatment could be useful for veterinarians.
People also search for: dog lymphoma treatment · canine cancer biomarkers · chemotherapy for dog lymphoma
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and 9 are useful biomarkers in human lymphoma. During cancerogenesis, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) stimulates VEGF and MMPs production. VEGF and TGF-β plasma levels were tested by ELISA, MMP-2 and MMP-9 by gelatine zymography in 37 dogs with lymphoma, 13 of which were also monitored during chemotherapy. Ten healthy dogs served as control. Lymphoma dogs showed higher act-MMP-9 (P < 0.01) and VEGF (P < 0.05), and lower TGF-β than controls, and a positive correlation between act-MMP-9 and VEGF (P < 0.001). Act-MMP-9 and VEGF were significantly higher in T-cell lymphomas, and in stage V compared with stages III-IV disease, regardless of immunophenotype. VEGF was higher in high-grade compared with low-grade T-cell lymphomas. No correlation was found between cytokines levels at presentation and outcome. During chemotherapy, act-MMP-9 and VEGF decreased in B-cell lymphomas (P < 0.01), suggesting a possible predictive role in this group of dogs.
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/22489798/