title: Activation of AKT in feline mammary carcinoma: a new prognostic factor for feline mammary tumours.
abstract: The PI3K/AKT/PTEN pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of several human cancers. This study investigated the biological and prognostic value of PI3K/AKT/PTEN pathway dysregulation in feline mammary tumours. Expression of p-AKT, HER2, PTEN and steroid receptors was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 27 malignant and 12 benign mammary tumours from 39 female cats followed up over a 24-month period. Feline mammary carcinoma (FMC) cell lines were analyzed by Western blot and the feline AKT gene sequence was characterized. p-AKT expression statistically correlated with tumour malignancy, histological dedifferentiation and clinical recurrence. The animals with tumours expressing p-AKT had a shorter disease-free period than those with p-AKT-negative tumours. AKT activation was associated with HER2 expression and PTEN down-regulation, as occurs in human breast cancer, and feline AKT sequencing showed high homology with the human AKT gene. No AKT activation was observed in relation to either oestrogen receptor α (ERα) or progesterone receptor expression. Taken together, these data offer an explanation for AKT signalling and its role in FMC pathogenesis and prognosis, shedding new light on similarities between feline mammary tumours and hormone-independent breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: University of Turin, School of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Pathology, via L. da Vinci 44, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy. lorella.maniscalco@unito.it
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maniscalco
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iussich
authors.forename: J Martín
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: de Las Mulas
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Millán
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Biolatti
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakagawa
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Maria
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D015674:Mammary Neoplasms, Animal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone