The value of molecular expression of KIT and KIT ligand analysed using real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry as a prognostic indicator for canine cutaneous mast cell tumours

Vet Comp Oncol. 2015 Mar;13(1):1-10. doi: 10.1111/vco.12010. Epub 2013 Jan 7.

Abstract

This study investigated the correlation between KIT gene expression determined by immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the rate of tumour recurrence and tumour-related deaths in dogs affected with mast cell tumour (MCT). Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to compare tumour recurrence and tumour-related death between patients. The log-rank test was used to check for significant differences between curves. KIT-I, KIT-II and KIT-III staining patterns were observed in 9 (11.11%), 50 (61.73%) and 22 (27.16%) tumours, respectively. Tumour recurrence rates and tumour-related deaths were not associated with KIT staining patterns (P = 0278, P > 0.05), KIT (P = 0.289, P > 0.05) or KIT ligand (P = 0.106, P > 0.05) gene expression. Despite the lack of association between KIT staining pattern and patient survival time, the results suggest a correlation between aberrant KIT localization and increased proliferative activity of MCTs. RT-PCR seems to be a sensible method for quantitative detection of KIT gene expression in canine MCT, although expressions levels are not correlated with prognosis.

Keywords: c-kit; immunohistochemistry; mastocitoma; survival time.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Dog Diseases / metabolism*
  • Dog Diseases / pathology
  • Dogs
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Immunohistochemistry / veterinary*
  • Mastocytoma / metabolism
  • Mastocytoma / pathology
  • Mastocytoma / veterinary*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / metabolism
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary*
  • Skin Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / veterinary*
  • Stem Cell Factor / genetics
  • Stem Cell Factor / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Stem Cell Factor
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit