title: c-KIT messenger RNA and protein expression and mutations in canine cutaneous mast cell tumors: correlations with post-surgical prognosis.
abstract: Cutaneous mast cell tumors (MCTs) are among the most common neoplasms in dogs and show a highly variable biologic behavior. Histological grading, cell proliferation markers, and KIT immunohistochemistry are typically used to predict post-surgical prognosis. In the present study, c-KIT messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was measured in canine MCTs and its relationship with tumor grade, immunohistochemical staining pattern, post-surgical prognosis, and mutations was investigated. A significant increase of c-KIT mRNA was observed in MCTs versus healthy skin and surgical margins. Mutations were observed in 8.3% of cases. The KIT staining pattern was investigated for both grading systems. In particular, staining pattern III was associated with grade II (G2) and G3 MCTs, while staining patterns I and II were associated with G1 and G2 MCTs. Considering the 2-tier histological grading, the high grade was mainly associated with pattern III (71%) while the low grade was associated with patterns II (70%) and I (28%). A weak association between the KIT staining pattern and outcome was also observed. The results obtained suggest that c-KIT mRNA is overexpressed in canine MCT, although the fold variations were not associated with the protein localization or complementary DNA mutations. These observations suggested that the 3 events were independent. The histological grading and the KIT staining pattern have prognostic value as previously published. Staining pattern I could be especially helpful in predicting a good prognosis of G2 MCTs. Sequence mutations were not necessarily suggestive of a worse prognosis, but might be useful in choosing a chemotherapy protocol.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Sanità pubblica, Patologia comparata ed Igiene veterinaria, Area di Farmacologia e Tossicologia, viale dell'Università 16, I-35020 Agripolis Legnaro, Padova, Italy. mery.giantin@unipd.it
authors.forename: Mery
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giantin
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vascellari
authors.forename: Emanuela Maria
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Morello
authors.forename: Katia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Capello
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vercelli
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Granato
authors.forename: Rosa Maria
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Lopparelli
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nassuato
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carminato
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martano
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mutinelli
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dacasto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D034701:Mastocytosis, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D021141:Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques / Q000662:veterinary; D011379:Prognosis; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit