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Isolation and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Glioma-infiltrating Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Published on: November 28, 2015
COX-2 and c-kit expression in canine gliomas
J M Jankovsky1, K M Newkirk, M R Ilha
1College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-4542, USA. jjankovs@utk.edu
Veterinary and Comparative Oncology
|January 13, 2012
Summary
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was not found in canine gliomas, suggesting COX-2 inhibitors are ineffective. C-kit inhibitors may help high-grade canine gliomas by reducing blood vessel growth.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Gliomas are common primary neural tumors in dogs.
- Overexpression of Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and c-kit is linked to glioma aggressiveness and reduced survival in humans.
- COX-2 promotes tumor proliferation and angiogenesis, while c-kit is a tyrosine kinase receptor involved in cell physiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of COX-2 and c-kit in canine gliomas.
- To evaluate the potential efficacy of COX-2 and c-kit inhibitors in treating canine gliomas.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 20 canine gliomas.
- Immunohistochemical analysis for COX-2 and c-kit expression.
- Classification of gliomas included oligodendrogliomas, oligoastrocytoma, and astrocytomas (including glioblastoma multiforme).
Main Results:
- None of the canine gliomas expressed COX-2.
- No immunoreactivity for c-kit was observed in the gliomas.
- High-grade tumors (3/20) showed intramural vascular expression of c-kit.
Conclusions:
- COX-2 inhibitors are unlikely to be effective for canine gliomas.
- C-kit inhibitors might offer an anti-angiogenic effect in high-grade canine gliomas but are unlikely to be effective in low- and medium-grade tumors.
