Evaluating the Histologic Grade of Digital Squamous Cell Carcinomas in Dogs and Copy Number Variation of KIT Ligand—A Correlation Study
2023
Argiñe Cerezo-Echevarria | Alexandra Kehl | Christoph Beitzinger | Tobias Müller | Robert Klopfleisch | Heike Aupperle-Lellbach
Dark-haired dogs are predisposed to the development of digital squamous cell carcinoma (DSCC). This may potentially suggest an underlying genetic predisposition not yet completely elucidated. Some authors have suggested a potential correlation between the number of copies KIT Ligand (KITLG) and the predisposition of dogs to DSCC, containing a higher number of copies in those affected by the neoplasm. In this study, the aim was to evaluate a potential correlation between the number of copies of the KITLG and the histological grade of malignancy in dogs with DSCC. For this, 72 paraffin-embedded DSCCs with paired whole blood samples of 70 different dogs were included and grouped according to their haircoat color as follow: Group 0/unknown haircoat color (n = 11): Group 1.a/black non-Schnauzers (n = 15): group 1.b/black Schnauzers (n = 33): group 1.c/black and tan dogs (n = 7): group 2/tan animals (n = 4). The DSCCs were histologically graded. Additionally, KITLG Copy Number Variation (CNV) was determined by ddPCR. A significant correlation was observed between KITLG copy number and the histological grade and score value. This finding may suggest a possible factor for the development of canine DSCC, thus potentially having an impact on personalized veterinary oncological strategies and breeding programs.
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