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Mapping Metabolism: Monitoring Lactate Dehydrogenase Activity Directly in Tissue
Published on: June 21, 2018
Serum lactate dehydrogenase activity in canine malignancies
L Marconato1, G Crispino, R Finotello
1Clinica Veterinaria L'Arca, Naples, Italy. marconato@aoicenter.ch
Veterinary and Comparative Oncology
|November 7, 2009
Summary
Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is elevated in dogs with cancer compared to healthy or diseased dogs, but its diagnostic utility for specific canine cancers is limited due to significant overlap.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a biomarker used for cancer prognosis in humans.
- Its role in canine oncology requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare serum LDH levels in dogs with cancer, non-neoplastic disease, and healthy controls.
- To assess LDH's potential to aid in diagnosing specific canine malignancies.
Main Methods:
- Serum LDH levels were measured in 128 healthy dogs, 211 dogs with non-neoplastic disease, and 188 dogs with cancer.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare LDH levels across groups and between specific cancer types.
Main Results:
- Dogs with cancer exhibited significantly higher serum LDH than healthy and diseased dogs (P < 0.001).
- A substantial overlap in LDH levels was observed between groups.
- Lymphoma cases showed higher LDH than carcinoma or mast cell tumors (MCT), but not other malignancies.
- LDH levels did not differ between early and advanced stages for lymphoma and MCT.
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum LDH is associated with cancer in dogs but lacks specificity for diagnosis.
- LDH is not a reliable screening tool for canine cancer detection.
- Further research is needed to clarify the role of LDH in specific canine tumor types.
