title: Thymidine Kinase Type 1 and C-Reactive Protein Concentrations in Dogs with Spontaneously Occurring Cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Serum thymidine kinase type 1 (TK1) and canine C-Reactive Protein (cCRP) might be useful in detecting dogs with cancer. Algorithms combining biomarkers are sometimes more accurate than results of individual tests.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare serum TK1 and cCRP and Neoplasia Index (NI) in healthy and tumor-bearing dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Client-owned dogs with (n = 253) and without (n = 156) cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case-control study. Dogs with cancer were identified after submission of samples for commercial assay and case details were retrospectively collected. Healthy dogs (control) were identified through breed groups and health status was confirmed by health questionnaire for a minimum of 6 months. Serum TK1 activity was measured using a quantitative chemiluminescent assay and serum cCRP was measured using a quantitative ELISA assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TK1 activity in the cancer (n = 253) and control group (n = 156) were 7.0 μ/L (median, range <0.5 to >100) and 1.8 μ/L (median, range 0.4 to 55.3), respectively (P < .001). cCRP concentrations in the cancer and control group were 6.0 mg/L (median, range <0.5 to >50) and 1.6 mg/L (median, range 0.09 to >50), respectively (P < .001). The NI in the cancer and control group were 6.4 (median, range 0-9.9) and 0.9 (median, range 0-7.6), respectively (P < .001). ROC AUCs of the NI and TK1 for all cancers were greater than 0.8, highest for lymphoma and histiocytic sarcoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased concentrations of TK1 and cCRP, when present in dogs with cancer, might be useful in confirming a diagnosis and monitoring response to treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Selting
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Diagnostic Institute, Inc., Simi Valley, CA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ringold
authors.affiliation: BluePearl Veterinary Partners, Eden Prarie, MN.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Husbands
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO.
authors.forename: P O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Pithua
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013937:Thymidine Kinase / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D013937:Thymidine Kinase; C092717:thymidine kinase 1
keywords: Biomarker; Inflammation; Monitoring; Screening