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Equine Cutaneous Mast Cell Tumours Exhibit Variable Differentiation, Proliferation Activity and KIT Expression
1Division of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, UK.
Journal of Comparative Pathology
|August 22, 2015
Summary
Equine cutaneous mast cell tumors (CMCTs) are not always benign. A subgroup of poorly differentiated CMCTs shows aggressive behavior linked to KIT expression and high proliferation, confirming them as neoplastic.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Equine cutaneous mast cell tumours (CMCTs) are often considered benign, unlike their canine counterparts with established grading and prognostic factors.
- Limited data exists on equine CMCT morphology, proliferation, and KIT expression in relation to biological behavior, prompting debate on their neoplastic nature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize equine CMCTs based on morphology, KIT, and PCNA expression.
- To correlate these features with biological behavior and determine if a subset represents true neoplastic processes.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to assess KIT and PCNA expression in 45 equine CMCTs.
- KIT expression was categorized into three patterns (I, II, III).
- Morphological features and proliferative indices were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Most equine CMCTs showed features of well-differentiated lesions with low proliferation and KIT pattern I.
- Approximately one-third of cases presented as poorly differentiated CMCTs with infiltrative growth, anisokaryosis, higher proliferation, and KIT patterns II and III.
- Poorly differentiated CMCTs demonstrated an association between aberrant KIT expression, high proliferation, and potentially aggressive behavior.
Conclusions:
- A distinct subgroup of poorly differentiated equine CMCTs exists.
- These tumors exhibit aberrant KIT expression and high proliferative rates, indicative of neoplastic processes with potentially aggressive behavior.
- These findings support the classification of poorly differentiated equine CMCTs as true neoplastic entities.
