Serum levels of urokinase-type plasminogen activator in healthy dogs and oncologic canine patients

Abstract

Aim:Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) has been scarcely studied in veterinary oncology. The aim of this study was to determine the uPA serum concentrations in healthy and oncologic canine patients and to investigate its potential value as a tumor biomarker.Materials and Methods:Serum uPA concentrations of healthy and oncologic canine patients were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Their relationships with the dogs’ health status and tumor characteristics were analyzed through ANOVA and independent t-test.Results:There were no significant differences between mean serum values (±standard deviation) of healthy dogs (0.19±0.13 ng/ml) and oncologic canine patients (0.22±0.33 ng/ml), or between dogs with benign or malignant tumors, and with or without metastases, although the latter tended to show higher uPA serum levels.Conclusion:This is the first study describing the uPA serum levels in dogs. Although its results do not support uPA as a tumor biomarker, higher uPA levels in dogs with metastatic neoplasms may reflect the role of the enzyme in tumor progression.

Prognostic significance of the urokinase plasminogen activator system in tissue and serum of dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma

“…This significance remained following multivariate analysis of the entire population ( Table 7 ) even when analyzed with known prognostic factors of canine osteosarcoma such as serum ALP, tumor location, and peripheral monocyte/lymphocyte count [ 25 – 27 ]. In dogs, the only study measuring serum uPA compared the levels between clinically-healthy and cancer-bearing dogs [ 33 ]. No difference was noted between the groups, but the lack of difference is likely due to the wide variety of different tumor types included.…”

“…lymphocyte count [25][26][27]. In dogs, the only study measuring serum uPA compared the levels between clinically-healthy and cancer-bearing dogs [33]. No difference was noted between the groups, but the lack of difference is likely due to the wide variety of different tumor types included.…”

Inhibitory Effects of a Reengineered Anthrax Toxin on Canine and Human Osteosarcoma Cells

“…The significance of this is unknown. The uPA expression has scarcely been studied in canine tumors, either through immunohistochemistry of selective tumors [ 31 , 32 , 33 ] or its serum levels [ 34 ]. Its functions and importance in cancer, however, seems to be similar, at least in canine mammary tumors [ 35 ], and correlated to more aggressive and metastatic tumors.…”

A review of hyperfibrinolysis in cats and dogs

“…, Ramos et al . ). Hypocoagulation and hyperfibrinolysis have also been documented using TF‐activated TEG in a dog with DIC secondary to metastatic haemangiosarcoma (Vilar‐Saavedra & Hosoya ).…”

“…Enhanced-fibrinolytic DIC leading to haemorrhage has been associated with acute promyelocytic leukaemia, aortic aneurysm, prostatic carcinoma and amyloidosis in people (Tallman & Kwaan 1992, Adam et al 2004, Takahashi et al 2008, Prokopchuk-Gauk & Brose 2015. DIC and hyperfibrinolysis are reported in dogs with metastatic mammary carcinoma, and increased circulating levels of uPA occur in dogs with metastatic disease (Mischke et al 1998, Ramos et al 2017. Hypocoagulation and hyperfibrinolysis have also been documented using TF-activated TEG in a dog with DIC secondary to metastatic haemangiosarcoma (Vilar-Saavedra & Hosoya 2011).…”