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Insights into osteosarcoma in cats and dogs may improve palliative care
March 02, 2007CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Researchers at the University of Illinois have found that a molecular pathway known to have a role in the progression of bone cancer in humans is also critical to the pathology of skeletal tumors in dogs and cats. Their work could lead to advances in the palliative care of companion animals afflicted with osteosarcoma.
The research team, which included U. of I. pathobiology professor Anne Barger, examined the homeostatic role of an enzyme, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (known as RANK), and two key modulators of its activity: RANK ligand (RANK-L) and osteoprotegrin (OPG). RANK is one of a family of receptors that regulates bone and immune homeostasis. In health, RANK, RANK-L and OPG together keep the continual process of bone growth and resorption in balance.
Bone tumors presumably derail this homeostatic process, however, by upregulating RANK-L expression. RANK-L binds to RANK, stimulating the production and activation of osteoclasts (bone cells that increase the breakdown of bone tissue).
OPG counter-regulates RANK-L by blocking its ability to bind to RANK.
Eventual therapeutic interventions may make use of OPG or other RANK-L inhibitors to slow the process of bone destruction in skeletal tumors in cats and dogs, Barger said. Although not a cure, this could reduce the pain and other complications associated with bone cancer. Such therapies have proven effective at reducing pathologic bone loss in human bone cancer patients.
The researchers are the first to verify that the expression of this protein, which worsens the effects of bone cancer in humans, also occurs in cats and dogs with skeletal tumors. Their study appears in the January-February issue of the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
"Osteosarcoma is much more common in veterinary medicine than in human medicine," Barger said. "And in dogs it is fairly common."
Other studies have reported a tenfold greater incidence of bone cancer in dogs than in humans.
"Owners often make decisions to euthanize based on pain," Barger said. "If we can lessen the pain associated with the tumor we can improve the quality of life and the lifespan."
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
OPG counter-regulates RANK-L by blocking its ability to bind to RANK.
Eventual therapeutic interventions may make use of OPG or other RANK-L inhibitors to slow the process of bone destruction in skeletal tumors in cats and dogs, Barger said. Although not a cure, this could reduce the pain and other complications associated with bone cancer. Such therapies have proven effective at reducing pathologic bone loss in human bone cancer patients.
The researchers are the first to verify that the expression of this protein, which worsens the effects of bone cancer in humans, also occurs in cats and dogs with skeletal tumors. Their study appears in the January-February issue of the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
"Osteosarcoma is much more common in veterinary medicine than in human medicine," Barger said. "And in dogs it is fairly common."
Other studies have reported a tenfold greater incidence of bone cancer in dogs than in humans.
"Owners often make decisions to euthanize based on pain," Barger said. "If we can lessen the pain associated with the tumor we can improve the quality of life and the lifespan."
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Osteosarcoma Current Events and Osteosarcoma News RSSApproved lymphoma drug shows promise in early tests against bone cancer
A drug already approved for the treatment of lymphoma may also slow the growth of the most deadly bone cancer in children and teens, according to an early-stage study published online today in the International Journal of Cancer.
Studying cancer in pet dogs to find new treatments for human patients
A team of scientists at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Bethesda, USA, says that studying pet dogs with cancer could yield valuable information on how to diagnose and treat human cancers.
New strategy in tumor treatment
A new strategy proposed by researchers at Dartmouth Medical School and Amtek, Hanover, NH may treat tumors that do not respond to conventional treatment.
A longer lasting tumor blocker
On the heels of dismaying reports that a promising antitumor drug could, in theory, shorten patients' long-term survival, comes a promising study by a Japanese team of researchers that suggests a potentially better option.
MU Veterinary Oncologists Advance Cancer Drugs for Humans and Pets
As more pet owners are choosing to treat their pets' cancers through advanced medicine, veterinarians gain valuable knowledge about the progression and treatment of cancers in humans through pet trials of new drugs.
Researchers identify potential therapeutic target in osteosarcoma
A receptor known to be active in bone metastases, but previously unexplored in primary bone tumors, is a potential therapeutic target in osteosarcoma, investigators from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center report in the March 1 issue of Cancer Research.
Novel model of osteosarcoma
In the June 15th issue of G&D, Dr. Stuart Orkin (HHMI, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Children's Hospital Boston) and colleagues present a new mouse model of osteosarcoma.
Same process discovered to both form skeleton and protect it for life
A protein signaling pathway recently discovered to guide the formation of the skeleton in the fetus also keeps bones strong through adult life, according to two papers published recently in the journal Nature Medicine.
Study shows drug effective in treating, preventing breast cancer
A new study of an estrogen-derived drug shows promise as a treatment for breast cancer and breast cancer metastases to bone.
Researchers find that childhood sarcoma increases risk of blood clots
Researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, have determined that children and young adults with a form of cancer called sarcoma are at increased risk of having a thromboembolic event (TE) in their veins.
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