Limited information is available to assist in the ante-mortem prediction of tumor type and grade for dogs with primary brain tumors. The objective of the current study was to identify magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria related to the histopathological type and grade of gliomas in dogs. A convenience sample utilizing client-owned dogs (n=31) with gliomas was used. Medical records of dogs with intracranial lesions admitted to two veterinary referral hospitals were reviewed and cases with a complete brain MRI and definitive histopathological diagnosis were retrieved for analysis. Each MRI was independently interpreted by five investigators who were provided with standardized grading instructions and remained blinded to the histopathological diagnosis. Mild to no contrast enhancement, an absence of cystic structures (single or multiple), and a tumor location other than the thalamo-capsular region were independently associated with grade II tumors compared to higher grade tumors. In comparison to oligodendrogliomas, astrocytomas were independently associated with the presence of moderate to extensive peri-tumoral edema, a lack of ventricular distortion, and an isointense or hyperintense T1W-signal. When clinical and MRI features indicate that a glioma is most likely, certain MRI criteria can be used to inform the level of suspicion for low tumor grade, particularly poor contrast enhancement. Information obtained from the MRI of such dogs can also assist in predicting an astrocytoma or an oligodendroglioma, but no single imaging characteristic allows for a particular tumor type to be ruled out.

Barbed sutures (Quill™ and V-Loc™) allowed for effective intracorporeal laparoscopic suturing of an incisional gastropexy without tying intracorporeal knots.

Folate receptors (FR) may be of use for targeted delivery of cytotoxic drugs in invasive urothelial carcinoma (iUC), for which improved therapy is needed. FR expression and function in iUC were explored and the antitumor activity and toxicity of a folate-targeted vinblastine conjugate were evaluated in dogs with naturally occurring iUC, an excellent model for human iUC. FR immunohistochemistry was carried out on iUC and normal human and dog bladder tissues together with nuclear scintigraphy in dogs to monitor iUC folate uptake. Dose escalation of a folate-targeted vinblastine compound, EC0905, was conducted in dogs with biopsy-confirmed, FR-positive iUC. FRs were detected by immunohistochemistry (PU17) in most primary iUC and many nodal and lung metastases from dogs, and scintigraphy confirmed folate uptake in both primary and metastatic lesions. The maximum tolerated dose of EC0905 in dogs was 0.25 mg/kg IV weekly, with neutropenia at higher doses. Tumor responses included partial remission (!50% reduction in tumor volume) in five dogs and stable disease (<50% change in tumor volume) in four dogs. Immunoreactivity to PU17 was similar in humans (78% of primary iUC, 80% of nodal metastases). Less immunoreactivity to mab343 (22% of cases) occurred. FR-b was noted in 21% of human iUC cases. Our findings suggest folate-targeted therapy holds considerable promise for treating iUC, where FR-b may be important in addition to FR-a. Cancer Res; 73(2); 875-84. Ó2012 AACR.