A Naturally Occurring Feline Model of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Despite advances in understanding cancer at the molecular level, timely and effective translation to clinical application of novel therapeutics in human cancer patients is lacking. Cancer drug failure is often a result of toxicity or inefficacy not predicted by preclinical models, emphasizing the need for alternative animal tumor models with improved biologic relevancy. Companion animals (dogs and cats) provide an opportunity to capitalize on an underutilized and biologically relevant translational research model which allows spontaneous disease modeling of human cancer. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common cancer with a poor prognosis and limited clinical advancements in recent years. One potential novel spontaneous animal tumor model is feline oral squamous cell carcinoma (FOSCC). FOSCC and HNSCC share similar etiopathogenesis (tobacco and papillomavirus exposure) and molecular markers (EGFR, VEGF, and p53). Both human and feline SCCs share similar tumor biology, clinical outcome, treatment, and prognosis. Future clinical trials utilizing FOSCC as a tumor model may facilitate translation of preclinical cancer research for human cancer patients.

Intratumoral injection of radioactive holmium (166Ho) microspheres for treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma in cats

“…The incidence of OSCC has increased with 1.8% per year between 1989 and 2011 . This is probably because of the increased prevalence of tobacco abuse, alcohol consumption and slaked lime or betel nut chewing, which are the major risk factors for developing OSCC in humans . The aetiology of OSCC in felines remains largely unknown.…”

“…The aetiology of OSCC in felines remains largely unknown. Advanced age, indirect tobacco smoke, poor oral hygiene and papillomavirus exposure are possible risk factors . Apart from the resemblance of risk factors, human and feline OSCC also share comparable molecular parameters (eg, overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and p53 mutation).…”

Avaliação de margens cirúrgicas e recorrência local do carcinoma de célula escamosa oral de felino

“…A complexidade desta tarefa é bem demonstrada por Mountzios et al (2014) ao conceituarem o câncer de células escamosas de cabeça e pescoço como uma entidade heterogênea, com vários fatores etiológicos envolvidos na gênese de subconjuntos moleculares distintos de tumores, os quais exibem comportamento clínico e biológico diferentes.…”

“…Em virtude de suas características clínicas de progressão e comportamento biológico similares ao homem, os felinos são considerados um importante modelo de estudo (Wolf, 2012;Wypij, 2013).…”

“…A base da terapia é o controle local e devido a grande maioria dos cães ou gatos encontrarem-se em estádios avançados no momento do diagnóstico, a ressecção cirúrgica no CCEO é paliativa, com tempo médio de sobrevida variável entre cinco e doze meses (Wypij, 2013) Diversos trabalhos relatam tempo médio de sobrevida, taxa de sobrevida global, tempo livre de progressão da doença e fatores associados à qualidade de vida dos pacientes submetidos a cirurgias orais, entre estes, Bradley et al (1984) realizaram a mandibulectomia em cinco gatos acometidos por CCEO, os quais apresentaram recorrência local dentro de oito meses; Lascelles et al (2004) A mandibulectomia segmentar ou hemimandibulectomia é recomendada em casos de invasão tumoral grosseira na mandíbula. Quando a invasão óssea é mínima ou ocorre apenas acometimento periosteal, a indicação de ressecção marginal apresenta controle satisfatório e tão eficaz quanto a ressecção segmentar.…”