Immunohistochemical characterization of feline oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Results suggested that EGFR expression might be a valuable prognostic factor for treatment outcome in feline oral SCC. It also identified higher angiogenesis in tongue SCC, compared with mandibular and maxillary SCC, which may account for a different clinical outcome. Further prospective characterization of feline oral SCC may provide a better understanding of the underlying molecular factors that drive its behavior and offer the possibility for future patient-specific treatment plans.

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

“…The significance of EGFR tumor expression is unclear, with two studies demonstrating either high or low EGFR scores associated with better survival [47, 48]. Limitations in comparison of these studies as well as comparison to human studies include the retrospective nature, small sample size, variability in patient treatment, and variability in method of EGFR scoring and cellular localization.…”

“…In FOSCC, MVD is significantly higher in tumor samples (50.3 ± 23.6), compared with normal feline gingiva (7.6 ± 4.06) with tumor-associated vessels exhibiting morphologic atypia and a thin endothelial lining [52]. There may also be anatomic variability with tongue tumors reported to have the highest MVD [47]. In cats clinically affected with FOSCC, treatment with zoledronate, an aminobisphosphonate used for skeletal malignancies that has putative antiangiogenic properties, rapidly decreases circulating serum VEGF concentrations [16].…”

“…In FOSCC, high expression of Ki67 is associated with decreased overall survival [48]. In another study, both Ki 67 and mitotic index exhibited wide variation among tumors, with no correlation between MI and Ki 67 [47]. …”

Assessment of predictive molecular variables in feline oral squamous cell carcinoma treated with stereotactic radiation therapy

“…High EGFR immunoreactivity has been shown to be prognostic for shorter survival and local control after fractionated XRT in human head and neck (H&N) SCC . Our previous study revealed that EGFR expression may be a prognostic factor in feline oral SCC . MVD is a technique to evaluate tumour angiogenesis that has been identified as a prognostic factor in some human malignancies including breast carcinoma, ovarian carcinoma, and H&N SCC …”

Elevated EGF Levels in the Blood Serum of Dogs with Periodontal Diseases and Oral Tumours

“…Expression of its receptor was observed in most studied cases of squamous skin cancers in cats -it correlated with shorter life expectancy but not with the tumour's mitotic activity (29). Incorrect activation of the EGFR receptor was also identified in epithelial tumours with high metastatic potential located in the lungs, nasal cavity and mamma in dogs (30)(31)(32) and oral cavity in cats (33).…”