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Expression of VEGFR and PDGFR-α/-β in 187 canine nasal carcinomas
I Gramer1, D Killick1, T Scase2
1Small Animal Teaching Hospital, Leahurst Campus, University of Liverpool, Neston CH64 7TE, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Radiotherapy represents the standard of care for intranasal carcinomas. Responses to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been reported but data on expression of target receptor tyrosine kinases (rTKs) is limited. This study characterizes the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)-α and PDGFR-β in canine intranasal carcinomas. Histological samples from 187 dogs were retrieved. Immunohistochemistry was performed using commercially available antibodies. Expression of rTKs was classified into weak, moderate or intense and additionally recorded as cytoplasmic, membranous, cytoplasmic-membranous, nuclear or stromal. VEGFR was expressed in 158 dogs with predominantly moderate expression (36.9%) and a cytoplasmic-membranous expression pattern (70.9%). PDGFR-α was detected in 133 with predominantly weak expression (57.9%) and cytoplasmic pattern (87.9%). PDGFR-β was identified in 74 patients with a predominantly moderate expression (17.6%) and cytoplasmic expression pattern (63.5%). Co-expression of rTKs was common. These results confirm expression of VEGFR, PDGFR-α and PDGFR-β in canine intranasal carcinomas and support the utility of TKIs.
Insights
This study found that vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)-α/β are expressed in canine intranasal carcinomas. This supports the potential use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in treating these tumors.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Oncology
- Molecular Pathology
Background:
- Radiotherapy is the standard treatment for intranasal carcinomas.
- Limited data exists on the expression of target receptor tyrosine kinases (rTKs) in canine intranasal carcinomas, despite reported responses to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)-α, and PDGFR-β in canine intranasal carcinomas.
- To evaluate the potential utility of TKIs in treating these tumors.
Main Methods:
- Histological samples from 187 dogs with intranasal carcinomas were analyzed.
- Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect VEGFR, PDGFR-α, and PDGFR-β expression.
- Expression levels (weak, moderate, intense) and patterns (cytoplasmic, membranous, etc.) were recorded.
Main Results:
- VEGFR was expressed in 158 dogs (predominantly moderate, cytoplasmic-membranous pattern).
- PDGFR-α was detected in 133 dogs (predominantly weak, cytoplasmic pattern).
- PDGFR-β was identified in 74 dogs (predominantly moderate, cytoplasmic pattern). Co-expression of these rTKs was common.
Conclusions:
- VEGFR, PDGFR-α, and PDGFR-β are confirmed to be expressed in canine intranasal carcinomas.
- The findings support the potential therapeutic application of TKIs for canine intranasal carcinomas.
