Short interspersed CAN SINE elements as prognostic markers in canine mammary neoplasia

Oncol Rep. 2014 Jan;31(1):435-41. doi: 10.3892/or.2013.2827. Epub 2013 Oct 31.

Abstract

The genome of mammals is characterized by a large number of non-LTR retrotransposons, and among them, the CAN SINEs are characteristics of the canine species. Small amounts of DNA freely circulate in normal blood serum and high amounts are found in human patients with cancer, characterizing it as a candidate tumor-biomarker. The aim of this study was to estimate, through its absolute expression, the number of copies of CAN SINE sequences present in free circulating DNA of female dogs with mammary cancer, in order to correlate with the clinical and pathological characteristics and the follow-up period. The copy number of CAN SINE sequences was estimated by qPCR in 28 female dogs with mammary neoplasia. The univariate analysis showed an increased number of copies in female dogs with mammary tumor in female dogs >10 years old (p=0.02) and tumor time >18 months (p<0.05). The Kaplan-Meier test demonstrated a negative correlation between an increased number of copies and survival time (p=0.03). High amounts of CAN SINE fragments can be good markers for the detection of tumor DNA in blood and may characterize it as a marker of poor prognosis, being related to female dogs with shorter survival times. This estimate can be used as a prognostic marker in non-invasive breast cancer research and is useful in predicting tumor progression and patient monitoring.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • DNA / blood
  • Dog Diseases / genetics
  • Dogs / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Dosage
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Animal / blood*
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Animal / genetics*
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Animal / mortality
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Prognosis
  • Short Interspersed Nucleotide Elements / genetics*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • DNA