Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Concentrations in Dogs with Spirocercosis. (6th September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mukorera, V.; Kirberger, R.M.; Mabeta, P.; Dvir, E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of veterinary internal medicine. Volume 27:Number 6(2013:Nov./Dec.)
• Page Start: 1642
• Page End: 1645
• Publication Date: 2013-09-06
• Subjects: Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; 636.0896
• DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12179
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0891-6640

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jvim12179-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jvim12179-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent proangiogenic factor associated with tumor development. <italic>Spirocerca lupi</italic> is a nematode of canids that induces an esophageal nodule that progresses to a sarcoma in 25% of cases. Determination of neoplastic transformation is challenging and usually based on endoscopy‐guided biopsies under general anesthesia, an expensive procedure that often yields nondiagnostic, necrotic samples.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12179-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Hypothesis</title> <p>Circulatory VEGF concentrations are increased in dogs with neoplastic spirocercosis and can distinguish between dogs with neoplastic and nonneoplastic disease.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12179-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Animals</title> <p>A total of 24 client‐owned dogs, 9 nonneoplastic, 9 neoplastic, and 6 controls.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12179-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Case‐control study. Plasma and serum VEGF concentrations at the time of diagnosis were compared with those of healthy controls. Measurement of VEGF was performed using a canine‐specific ELISA. Kruskal‐Wallis and Dunn's tests were used for statistical analysis with significance set at <italic>P</italic> < .05.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12179-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>The median plasma VEGF concentrations of dogs with neoplastic spirocercosis were 629 pg/mL (range, 282–2, 366) higher than both the nonneoplastic (<39.5 pg/mL; range, <39.5–716) and control dogs (<39.5 pg/mL; all values, <39.5; <italic>P</italic> = .0003). The median serum VEGF concentration of the neoplastic dogs was 69 pg/mL (range, <39.5–212) higher than the nonneoplastic (<39.5 pg/mL; range, <39.5–44.13) and control dogs (<39.5 pg/mL; all values, <39.5; <italic>P</italic> = .001).</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12179-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions and Clinical Importance</title> <p>Both plasma and serum VEGF concentrations can be used to differentiate nonneoplastic and neoplastic spirocercosis. The role of VEGF in neoplastic transformation of <italic>S. lupi</italic>‐induced nodules and the potential utility of anti‐VEGF drugs in spirocercosis‐induced sarcoma warrant further investigation.</p> </sec> </abstract>