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Oncology in Veterinary Medicine

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A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Clinical Studies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2021) | Viewed by 45162

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Prof. Dr. Massimo Vignoli

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Guest Editor

Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D’ Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Interests: diagnostic imaging; radiology; ultrasound; CT; MRI; PET; radiation therapy
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Prof. Lorenzo Ressel

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Guest Editor

Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
Interests: veterinary pathology; cancer biology; prognostic markers; stem cell engraftment; animal models for disease; forensic veterinary pathology

Dr. Riccardo Finotello

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Guest Editor

Department of Small Animal Clinical Science, Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
Interests: veterinary oncology; cancer biology; chemotherapy; prognostic markers; veterinary pathology; canine hemangiosarcoma; canine lymphoma; neuroendocrine tumors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The theme of this Special Issue of Animals is veterinary oncology. The editorial team believes that this topic is timely given the substantial progress that has occurred in veterinary medicine in recent decades, where results of extensive research have significantly improved animal care and technologies have become more accessible, providing new valuable diagnostic tools that have helped in generating and interpreting previously unfathomed data. Certainly, this has particularly benefited veterinary oncology, leading to fundamental changes in the approaches to cancer detection and treatment, but also towards the discovery of new drugs. Veterinary oncology has made a breakthrough in daily practice, where cancer is recognized as an important cause of morbidity and mortality in pets. The increased interest towards veterinary oncology has also been facilitated by the increased awareness of pets’ owners towards animal welfare, being more willing to face complex diagnostic pathways and demanding treatment courses.

Veterinary oncology research has also provided an integrative approach to learn more about naturally-occurring cancers across species. Animal models offer advantages as they experience spontaneous disease and share genetic similarities with humans but age faster. This comparative approach maintains a promising role in increasing knowledge in tumor pathophysiology and therapeutic options.

The advances that have molded the veterinary oncology field are the results of collaboration between integrated research groups, and various specialists and experts in the sector (medical oncologists, radiologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, clinical pathologists, pathologists), from veterinary and human medicine.

This is why constant work by experts is important so that knowledge is expanded both in terms of early and accurate diagnosis and in terms of new therapies.

We therefore hope that in the future, new diagnostic tools and new treatment strategies will lead to significant improvements.

Prof. Massimo Vignoli
Prof. Lorenzo Ressel
Dr. Riccardo Finotello
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (10 papers)

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17 pages, 296 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prognostic Value of Ki67 and Other Clinical and Histopathological Factors in Canine Apocrine Gland Anal Sac Adenocarcinoma

by Emanuela Maria Morello, Marzia Cino, Davide Giacobino, Arturo Nicoletti, Selina Iussich, Paolo Buracco and Marina Martano

Animals 2021, 11(6), 1649; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani11061649 - 02 Jun 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4611

Abstract

Apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma (AGASACA) is locally aggressive and highly metastatic to regional lymph nodes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of Ki67 in surgically excised AGASACA. Prognostic impact of size, regional lymph nodes metastasis, hypercalcemia, histologic pattern, mitotic count, necrosis, inflammatory and lympho-vascular invasion, anisokaryosis and anisocytosis was also evaluated. Thirty-five dogs were included, twenty-four of which also had metastatic lymph nodes. When the entire population was evaluated, only metastatic disease spread to regional lymph nodes, and necrosis and inflammatory infiltration were correlated to prognosis. When only dogs with metastatic disease were evaluated, size, solid histologic pattern, presence of lymphatic and vascular invasion showed influence on prognosis. Ki67 index was not associated with survival time and disease free interval in any case. The results of this study showed that lymph nodes metastasis at diagnosis reduced disease free interval. Moreover, tumor size greater than 5.25 cm, presence of lymphatic and vascular invasion and a solid histologic pattern were associated with a shorter survival time in dogs with metastasis to regional lymph nodes. Ki67 expression was not significantly associated with prognosis, therefore it could not be considered as a prognostic factor in this tumor type, while the role of hypercalcemia remained unclear. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oncology in Veterinary Medicine)

14 pages, 15024 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Expression of Selected Wnt Pathway Members (FZD6, AXIN2 and β-Catenin) in Canine Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Acanthomatous Ameloblastoma

by Barbora Putnová, Iveta Putnová, Miša Škorič and Marcela Buchtová

Animals 2021, 11(6), 1615; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani11061615 - 29 May 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4221

Abstract

The Wnt signaling pathway is well known to be involved in many types of human cancer; however, in veterinary medicine, the investigation of individual Wnt members’ expression, and their role in or association with oral tumor pathogenesis, is still underevaluated. We aim to determine the expression pattern of Frizzled-6 (FZD6) as one of the Wnt receptors in two of the most common canine oral neoplastic lesions—canine oral squamous cell carcinoma (COSCC) and canine acanthomatous ameloblastoma (CAA). While COSCC is a malignant tumor with aggressive biological behavior and a tendency to metastasize, CAA is a benign tumor with high local invasiveness. In CAA, the expression of FZD6 was mostly located in the center of the epithelial tumorous tissue, and cells exhibiting features of squamous metaplasia were strongly positive. In well-differentiated COSCC, FZD6 was expressed in the tumorous epithelium as well as the tumorous stroma. There was a negative correlation between cytokeratin expression and FZD6 expression in COSCC, where the central parts of the epithelial tumorous tissue were often FZD6-negative. The non-differentiated COSCC with low expression of cytokeratin exhibited a diffuse FZD6 signal. The invasive front with areas of tumor budding exhibited high FZD6 expression with a loss of cytokeratin expression. Moreover, the expression of β-catenin and AXIN2 was increased in comparison to gingiva. In conclusion, our study revealed significant differences in the expression patterns and the levels of FZD6 between COSCC and CAA, indicating the differential engagement of the Wnt pathway in these tumors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oncology in Veterinary Medicine)

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9 pages, 1628 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lymphatic Drainage Mapping with Indirect Lymphography for Canine Mammary Tumors

by Francesco Collivignarelli, Roberto Tamburro, Giovanni Aste, Ilaria Falerno, Francesca Del Signore, Francesco Simeoni, Michail Patsikas, Jacopo Gianfelici, Rossella Terragni, Valeria Attorri, Augusto Carluccio and Massimo Vignoli

Animals 2021, 11(4), 1115; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani11041115 - 13 Apr 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 6134

Abstract

Mammary gland tumors are the most common canine neoplasms. They account for 25–50% of all tumors diagnosed in bitches. Metastases and recurrences develop in about 35–70% of bitches following excision. The presence of regional lymph node metastases is a relevant factor affecting prognosis and treatment in cases of mammary gland tumors. The sentinel lymph node (SLN) is the first lymph node (or nodes) in the regional lymphatic basin that receives lymphatic flow from the primary neoplasm. The aim of this study is to investigate the SLN with indirect lymphography for a mammary tumor in dogs. The knowledge of the precise drainage pattern and SLN of the neoplastic mammary glands would provide clinically relevant information to the surgeon and to the oncologist, and it would be of high importance for the surgeon not only for performing the most adequate surgical excision but also for determining an accurate post-surgical prognosis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oncology in Veterinary Medicine)

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8 pages, 7398 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Correlation between Tumour Associated Macrophage (TAM) Infiltration and Mitotic Activity in Canine Soft Tissue Sarcomas

by Riccardo Finotello, Kate Whybrow, Giulia Scarin and Lorenzo Ressel

Animals 2021, 11(3), 684; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani11030684 - 04 Mar 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2102

Abstract

Tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) are an important part of the tumour microenvironment but knowledge of their distribution in canine soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) is limited to absent. We analysed 38 STSs retrieved from the veterinary pathology archive; oral and visceral STSs, synovial cell sarcoma, tumours of histiocytic origin, haemangiosarcoma, carcinosarcomas, and undifferentiated tumours were excluded. Iba-1 positive, non-neoplastic tumour infiltrating cells (morphologically indicative of macrophages) were classified as TAMs and were counted in 10 consecutive tumours areas, where no necrosis or other inflammatory cells could be identified. Associations between numbers of TAMs and mitoses, differentiation, and necrosis scores or grade were investigated. TAMs were evident in all STSs and ranged between 6% to 62% of the cells in the microscopic field. The number of TAMs positively correlated with the STSs’ histologic grade. When the components of the grade were analysed separately, TAMs were statistically correlated with mitoses, but not with differentiation or necrosis score. The present findings suggest that TAMs are present in higher numbers when STS proliferation is the predominant feature that drives tumour grade. The abundant presence of TAMs in high-grade STSs may also increase the likelihood of a pathologist misdiagnosing STS for histiocytic sarcoma. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oncology in Veterinary Medicine)

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15 pages, 2121 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Immunohistochemical Study of the PTEN/AKT Pathway Involvement in Canine and Feline Mammary Tumors

by Pietro Asproni, Francesca Millanta, Lorenzo Ressel, Fabio Podestà, Francesca Parisi, Iacopo Vannozzi and Alessandro Poli

Animals 2021, 11(2), 365; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani11020365 - 01 Feb 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2317

Abstract

Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome10 (PTEN), phospho-v-Akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog (AKT), and the Rapamycin-Insensitive Companion of mTOR (Rictor) expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry in 10 canine mammary adenomas (CMAs), 40 canine mammary carcinomas (CMCs), and 30 feline mammary carcinomas (FMCs). All the CMAs, 25 of 40 CMCs (63%) and 7 of 30 FMCs (23%), were PTEN-positive. In dogs, no CMAs and 15 of 25 CMCs (37%) expressed phospho-AKT (p-AKT), while 24 of 30 FMCs (82%) were p-AKT-positive. One of 10 CMAs (10%), 24 of 40 CMCs (60%) and 20 of 30 FMCs (67%) were Rictor-positive. In the dog, PTEN expression correlated with less aggressive tumors, absence of lymphatic invasion, and longer survival. P-AKT expression correlated with more aggressive subtype, lymphatic invasion, and poorer survival and Rictor expression with lymphatic invasion. In cats, PTEN correlated with less aggressive carcinomas, absence of lymphatic invasion, and better survival. P-AKT and Rictor expression correlated with poorer survival. PTEN expression was inversely correlated with p-AKT and Rictor in both species, while p-AKT positively correlated with Rictor expression. A strong PTEN/AKT pathway involvement in behavior worsening of CMT and FMTs is demonstrated, providing a rationale for further studies of this pathway in veterinary oncology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oncology in Veterinary Medicine)

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29 pages, 6194 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ultrasonographic Algorithm for the Assessment of Sentinel Lymph Nodes That Drain the Mammary Carcinomas in Female Dogs

by Florin Stan, Alexandru Gudea, Aurel Damian, Adrian Florin Gal, Ionel Papuc, Alexandru Raul Pop and Cristian Martonos

Animals 2020, 10(12), 2366; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani10122366 - 10 Dec 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4911

Abstract

The status of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) is decisive in staging, prognosis, and therapeutic approach. Using an ultrasonographic examination algorithm composed of B-mode, Doppler technique, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and elastography, this study aimed to determine the diagnostic performance of the four techniques compared to histopathological examination. 96 SLNs belonging to 71 female dogs with mammary gland carcinomas were examined. After examinations, mastectomy and lymphadenectomy were performed. Histopathological examination confirmed the presence of metastases in 54 SLNs. The elasticity score had the highest accuracy—89.71%, identifying metastases in SLNs with 88.9.9% sensitivity (SE) and 90.5% specificity (SP), ROC analysis providing excellent results. The S/L (short axis/long axis) ratio showed 83.3% SE and 78.6% SP as a predictor of the presence of metastases in SLN having a good accuracy of 81.2%. On Doppler examination, the resistivity index(RI) showed good accuracy of 80% in characterizing lymph nodes with metastases versus unaffected ones; the same results being obtained by CEUS examination. By assigning to each ultrasonographic parameter a score (0 or 1) and summing up the scores of the four techniques, we obtained the best diagnostic performance in identifying lymph node metastases with 92.2% accuracy. In conclusion, the use of the presented algorithm provides the best identification of metastases in SLNs, helping in mammary carcinoma staging and appropriate therapeutic management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oncology in Veterinary Medicine)

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10 pages, 1246 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ultrasound-Guided Hook-Wire Localization for Surgical Excision of Non-Palpable Superficial Inguinal Lymph Nodes in Dogs: A Pilot Study

by Alessio Pierini, Veronica Marchetti, Matteo Rossanese, Riccardo Finotello, Andrea Cattai and Guido Pisani

Animals 2020, 10(12), 2314; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani10122314 - 07 Dec 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 6182

Abstract

The evaluation of loco-regional lymph nodes (LN) plays an important prognostic role and assists the clinical decision making in canine cancer patients. Excision of non-palpable LN can be challenging. The aim of the study was to evaluate surgical time, successful excision rate and surgical complications associated with the use of an ultrasound-guided hook-wire (UGHW) LN localization method for non-palpable superficial inguinal LN (SILN) in dogs. Dogs that presented for excision of non-palpable SILN, performed with the aid of an UGHW placement, were enrolled. Information including signalment, SILN width, UGHW placement and surgical procedure time, hook-wire position, successful excision and intra- and post-operative complications were reviewed. Seventeen dogs were enrolled. Median LN width was 3 mm (range 2–11). Median time of preoperative UGHW placement and surgical LN excision was 8 min and 15 min, respectively. Successful SILN excision was achieved in all cases. Two minor intra-operative (hook migration and wire fragmentation) and one minor post-operative complications (seroma) were observed. No major intraoperative or post-operative complications occurred. The UGHW LN localization method is safe and effective and may allow a high rate of successful SILN excisions in dogs. This method has the potential to facilitate LN excision for other superficial LN locations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oncology in Veterinary Medicine)

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12 pages, 278 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Statistical Analysis of Risk Factors and Biological Behavior in Canine Mammary Tumors: A Multicenter Study

by Giovanni P. Burrai, Andrea Gabrieli, Valentina Moccia, Valentina Zappulli, Ilaria Porcellato, Chiara Brachelente, Salvatore Pirino, Marta Polinas and Elisabetta Antuofermo

Animals 2020, 10(9), 1687; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani10091687 - 18 Sep 2020

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 4545

Abstract

Canine mammary tumors (CMTs) represent a serious issue in worldwide veterinary practice and several risk factors are variably implicated in the biology of CMTs. The present study examines the relationship between risk factors and histological diagnosis of a large CMT dataset from three academic institutions by classical statistical analysis and supervised machine learning methods. Epidemiological, clinical, and histopathological data of 1866 CMTs were included. Dogs with malignant tumors were significantly older than dogs with benign tumors (9.6 versus 8.7 years, p < 0.001). Malignant tumors were significantly larger than benign counterparts (2.69 versus 1.7 cm, p < 0.001). Interestingly, 18% of malignant tumors were smaller than 1 cm in diameter, providing compelling evidence that the size of the tumor should be reconsidered during the assessment of the TNM-WHO clinical staging. The application of the logistic regression and the machine learning model identified the age and the tumor’s size as the best predictors with an overall diagnostic accuracy of 0.63, suggesting that these risk factors are sufficient but not exhaustive indicators of the malignancy of CMTs. This multicenter study increases the general knowledge of the main epidemiologica-clinical risk factors involved in the onset of CMTs and paves the way for further investigations of these factors in association with CMTs and in the application of machine learning technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oncology in Veterinary Medicine)

17 pages, 3274 KiB

Open AccessArticle

B-Mode and Contrast Enhanced Ultrasonography Features of Gastric Inflammatory and Neoplastic Diseases in Cats

by Francesco Simeoni, Rossella Terragni, Giuseppe Rubini, Roberto Tamburro, Francesca Del Signore, Ilaria Falerno, Giovanni Aste, Marco Russo, Giovanni Mastromatteo and Massimo Vignoli

Animals 2020, 10(8), 1444; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10081444 - 18 Aug 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3712

Abstract

Alimentary lymphoma (AL) is the most common malignancy of the feline gastrointestinal tract and may cause variable mild to severe alteration of the gastric wall on ultrasonography (US) that can be very similar to those caused by inflammation (INF). The aim of this prospective study is to establish the value of B-mode and contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) in describing specific features of normal, inflammatory, and neoplastic gastric diseases in feline species. B-mode US and CEUS of the stomach were performed in anesthetized cats with or without gastric disorders. Gastric wall qualitative and quantitative parameters were evaluated on B-mode US and CEUS examination. A total of 29 cats were included: six healthy (HEA) cats as the control group; nine INF; three low-grade lymphoma (LGAL); 10 high-grade lymphoma (HGAL). On B-mode US, there were significant differences in thickness, the wall’s layer definition and echogenicity between HGAL and all the other groups (<0.001). For CEUS, statistical differences between groups were found in the following: HGAL vs. HEA, HGAL vs. INF; HGAL vs. LGAL; INF vs. HEA. Diagnostic accuracy (AUC) and cut-off value were calculated and found to be significant for thickness (3.8 mm) for INF vs. LGAL (AUC > 0.70) and “benign” vs. “malignant” (AUC > 0.90) as well as peak enhancement (34.87 dB) for “benign” vs. “malignant” (AUC > 0.70). INF and LGAL showed an overlap of qualitative and quantitative parameters both on B-mode and CEUS, while HGAL usually appears as a severe wall thickening with absent layer definition, high-contrast uptake, a specific enhancement pattern, regional lymphadenopathy and local steatitis. Thickness and peak enhancement can be useful parameters in the characterization of gastric infiltrates in cats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oncology in Veterinary Medicine)

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12 pages, 4331 KiB

Open AccessReview

Imaging of Canine Neoplastic Reproductive Disorders

by Marco Russo, Gary C.W. England, Giuseppe Catone and Gabriele Marino

Animals 2021, 11(5), 1213; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani11051213 - 22 Apr 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4381

Abstract

Diagnostic imaging plays an essential role in the diagnosis and management of reproductive neoplasia in dogs and cats. The initial diagnosis, staging, and planning of surgical and radiation treatment and the response to therapy all involve imaging to varying degrees. Routine radiographs, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and cross-sectional imaging in the form of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are routinely used in canine reproductive disorders. The choice of imaging modality depends on many factors, including the level of referral and the pathological information required. The biological behaviour of the tumour also guides the choice of imaging in cancer staging, and imaging may play an important role in guiding serial tumour biopsy during the course of therapy. The sophistication of imaging modalities is increasing exponentially. Each modality has advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, availability, sensitivity, specificity, and qualities of anatomic versus functional imaging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oncology in Veterinary Medicine)

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