| Autor: |
Carvalho MI; MVET Research in Veterinary Medicine. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University - Lisbon Centre, Lisboa, Portugal., Silva-Carvalho R; CEB - Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.; LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal., Prada J; Veterinary and Animal Research Center (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.; Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal., Pinto C; Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal., Gregório H; Anicura Centro Hospitalar Veterinário, Porto, Portugal., Lobo L; MVET Research in Veterinary Medicine. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University - Lisbon Centre, Lisboa, Portugal.; Onevet Hospital Veterinário do Porto, Porto, Portugal.; Center for the Study of Animal Sciences, CECA-ICETA, University of Porto, Portugal., Pires I; Veterinary and Animal Research Center (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.; Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal., Queiroga FL; Veterinary and Animal Research Center (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.; Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.; Center for the Study of Animal Sciences, CECA-ICETA, University of Porto, Portugal. |
| Abstrakt: |
Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) and FoxP3 regulatory T cells (Treg) are involved in human breast carcinogenesis. This topic is not well documented in canine mammary tumors (CMT). In this work, the tumoral TGFβ expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 67 malignant CMT and its correlation to previously determined FoxP3, VEGF, and CD31 markers and other clinicopathologic parameters was evaluated. The high levels of TGFβ were statistically significantly associated with skin ulceration, tumor necrosis, high histological grade of malignancy (HGM), presence of neoplastic intravascular emboli and presence of lymph node metastases. The observed levels of TGFβ were positively correlated with intratumoral FoxP3 (strong correlation), VEGF (weak correlation) and CD31 (moderate correlation). Tumors that presented a concurrent high expression of TGFβ/FoxP3, TGFβ/VEGF, and TGFβ/CD31 markers were statistically significantly associated with parameters of tumor malignancy (high HGM, presence of vascular emboli and nodal metastasis). Additionally, shorter overall survival (OS) time was statistically significantly associated with tumors with an abundant TGFβ expression and with concurrent high expression of TGFβ/FoxP3, TGFβ/VEGF, and TGFβ/CD31. The presence of lymph node metastasis increased 11 times the risk of disease-related death, arising as an independent predictor of poor prognosis in the multivariable analysis. In conclusion, TGFβ and Treg cells seem involved in tumor progression emerging as potential therapeutic targets for future immunotherapy studies. |
