Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule Expression in Canine Tumours.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Immunohistochemistry

Background:

• Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) is prevalent in human epithelial tissues and linked to tumor aggressiveness and stem cell phenotypes.
• Antibody-based strategies targeting EpCAM-expressing tumor cells show potential in human diagnostics and therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate EpCAM expression in canine tumors.
• To determine the suitability of canine carcinomas for EpCAM-directed diagnostic and therapeutic studies.

Main Methods:

• Gene expression profiling of canine tumor cell lines.
• Immunohistochemistry on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded canine carcinomas, sarcomas, and hemopoietic tumors.

Main Results:

• EpCAM mRNA expression was significantly higher in carcinoma cell lines compared to sarcoma or hemopoietic tumor cell lines.
• EpCAM was detected in over two-thirds of tumor cells in 71% of evaluated canine carcinomas (excluding adrenal gland carcinomas).
• Canine sarcomas and hemopoietic tumors were uniformly negative for EpCAM expression.

Conclusions:

• The majority of canine carcinomas express EpCAM, indicating their potential as models for EpCAM-targeted research.
• Canine carcinomas are suitable for investigating EpCAM-directed diagnostics and therapeutics.