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Glioblastoma multiforme in three baboons (Papio spp)
B F Porter1, B A Summers, M M Leland
1Department of Comparative Medicine, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, PO Box 760549, San Antonio, TX 78245-0549, USA.
Veterinary Pathology
|July 3, 2004
Summary
Three captive baboons developed glioblastomas, a rare brain neoplasm. These baboon glioblastomas exhibit histological and immunohistochemical similarities to human glioblastomas.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Comparative Oncology
- Primate Medicine
Background:
- Glioblastoma multiforme is the most aggressive human brain tumor.
- Spontaneous brain neoplasms are uncommon in nonhuman primates.
Observation:
- This report details three cases of glioblastoma in adult baboons.
- Clinical signs included depression, weight loss, weakness, and blindness.
- Tumors were located in the cerebrum, with one extending into the pons.
Findings:
- Histological analysis revealed cellular pleomorphism, necrosis, microvascular proliferation, and neoplastic cell palisading.
- Immunohistochemistry confirmed glial markers (GFAP, vimentin, S-100) and showed high proliferation (Ki67: 8.2–13.9%) and low apoptosis (TUNEL: 1.8–5.7%).
- Tumors displayed features consistent with human glioblastomas, including gemistocytic and spindle cell variants.
Implications:
- Baboons may serve as a valuable model for studying glioblastoma.
- Understanding glioblastoma in nonhuman primates can advance comparative oncology research.
- This study highlights the potential for spontaneous brain tumors in captive primates.