Candidate genes in canine hepatocellular carcinoma for molecular targeted therapy
Toshiyuki Tanaka1, Tomoki Motegi2, Misaki Mori1
1Laboratory of Veterinary Surgery, School of Veterinary Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan.
Objectives:
Unresectable canine hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has limited nonsurgical treatment options. Sorafenib is a targeted therapy for unresectable canine HCC. However, there are limited reports on the expression of target genes. Therefore, the efficacy of the targeted therapies for canine HCC remains unclear.
Data Description:
Liver specimens were obtained from 11 dogs with HCC and four dogs without HCC. We performed RNA seq using the mRNA extracted from the specimens. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between canine HCC and normal liver were explored based on previously reported molecular-targeted agents for human tumours. PARP3, DNMT1, FGF19, FGF23, and RET DEGs were upregulated, whereas KIT, FGFR2, and FGF21 DEGs were downregulated.
Insights
Targeted therapies for canine liver cancer (HCC) efficacy is unclear due to limited gene expression data. This study identified key upregulated and downregulated genes in canine HCC, aiding future treatment development.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Unresectable canine hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents limited non-surgical therapeutic avenues.
- Sorafenib is a targeted therapy for canine HCC, but its efficacy is uncertain due to insufficient data on target gene expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gene expression profiles in canine HCC.
- To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in canine HCC compared to normal liver tissue.
- To assess the potential of targeted therapies by understanding gene expression patterns.
Main Methods:
- RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on liver specimens from dogs with and without HCC.
- Messenger RNA (mRNA) was extracted from the specimens for analysis.
- Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by comparing canine HCC to normal liver, referencing human cancer targets.
Main Results:
- Several genes were found to be differentially expressed in canine HCC.
- Upregulated DEGs included PARP3, DNMT1, FGF19, FGF23, and RET.
- Downregulated DEGs included KIT, FGFR2, and FGF21.
Conclusions:
- This study provides crucial insights into the molecular landscape of canine HCC.
- Identifying specific upregulated and downregulated genes offers potential therapeutic targets.
- The findings pave the way for more effective targeted therapies for canine liver cancer.
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