Prognostic importance of alkaline phosphatase activity in serum from dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma: 75 cases (1990-1996).
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether alkaline phosphatase activity in dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma can be used as a prognostic indicator.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
75 dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma.


METHODS
Serum total alkaline phosphatase (TALP) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) activities were determined from archival serum samples obtained at various times during treatment of appendicular osteosarcoma and follow-up evaluations. Associations among activities of TALP and BALP and survival and disease-free intervals, percentage of bone length involved with tumor, histologic subtype, and method of surgical treatment were evaluated.


RESULTS
High activities of TALP and BALP before surgery were significantly associated with shorter survival and disease-free intervals in dogs undergoing surgery (amputation or limb-sparing procedure) and adjuvant chemotherapy. Activity of BALP significantly decreased in 29 dogs for which postoperative samples were available. Failure of BALP activity to decrease after surgery was correlated with shorter survival and disease-free intervals.


CONCLUSIONS
Activities of TALP and BALP in serum are important prognostic factors for appendicular osteosarcoma in dogs. Prognostic factors may help clinicians initiate more aggressive treatment for dogs that are at higher risk of death or relapse.
Ehrhart
N
N
Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801, USA.
Dernell
W S
WS
Hoffmann
W E
WE
Weigel
R M
RM
Powers
B E
BE
Withrow
S J
SJ
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood*; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000662:veterinary; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D005121:Extremities / Q000601:surgery*; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000097:blood; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors
D007527:Isoenzymes; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase