title: Prognostic value of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and plasma activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and 9 in lymphoma-affected dogs.
abstract: Canine non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is considered to be a good animal model for its human counterpart; nevertheless, comparative data on neo-angiogenesis are completely lacking. The aim of this study is to investigate the levels of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2 and 9 in lymphoma-affected dogs. Circulating levels of VEGF and both MMP 2 and 9 activities significantly correlate with the WHO sub-stage b prognostic factor; moreover, VEGF at admission have an independent influence on the length of the disease free interval. As in humans, serum VEGF concentration and most likely also MMPs plasma activity have prognostic value in canine NHL spontaneous model.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Clinical Department, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy. fgentilini@vet.unibo.it
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gentilini
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Calzolari
authors.forename: Maria Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Turba
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Agnoli
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fava
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Forni
authors.forename: Paolo Famigli
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Bergamini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9