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Updated: May 30, 2026
Comparative Lesions Analysis Through a Targeted Sequencing Approach
Published on: November 5, 2019
Analysis of KIT expression and KIT exon 11 mutations in canine oral malignant melanomas
1Laboratory of Veterinary Clinical Oncology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan.
Abstract:
KIT, a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase, is one of the specific targets for anti-cancer therapy. In humans, its expression and mutations have been identified in malignant melanomas and therapies using molecular-targeted agents have been promising in these tumours. As human malignant melanoma, canine malignant melanoma is a fatal disease with metastases and the poor response has been observed with all standard protocols. In our study, KIT expression and exon 11 mutations in dogs with histologically confirmed malignant oral melanomas were evaluated. Although 20 of 39 cases were positive for KIT protein, there was no significant difference between KIT expression and overall survival. Moreover, polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing of KIT exon 11 in 17 samples did not detect any mutations and proved disappointing. For several reasons, however, KIT expression and mutations of various exons including exon 11 should be investigated in more cases.
Insights
Canine malignant oral melanoma lacks KIT exon 11 mutations, and KIT protein expression did not correlate with survival in dogs. Further research on KIT in canine melanoma is warranted.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Canine malignant oral melanoma is a fatal cancer with poor treatment outcomes.
- KIT (stem cell factor receptor) is a target in human melanoma, showing promise with targeted therapies.
- Investigating KIT in canine melanoma may reveal new therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate KIT protein expression in canine oral melanomas.
- To identify mutations in KIT exon 11 in canine oral melanomas.
- To determine the correlation between KIT status and overall survival in affected dogs.
Main Methods:
- Histopathological confirmation of oral melanomas in dogs.
- Immunohistochemistry to assess KIT protein expression.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing of KIT exon 11.
Main Results:
- KIT protein was expressed in 20 out of 39 (51%) canine oral melanoma cases.
- No significant association was found between KIT expression levels and overall survival.
- No KIT exon 11 mutations were detected in the 17 analyzed samples.
Conclusions:
- KIT expression and exon 11 mutations do not appear to be significant factors in canine oral melanoma prognosis.
- Further investigation into KIT expression and mutations across various exons is recommended for larger canine cohorts.
- The role of KIT in canine oral melanoma requires additional research to explore potential therapeutic avenues.
