Gene expression of Nectin-4 and its clinical significance in dogs with primary lung adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Background: Canine primary lung adenocarcinoma (CPLA) is suspected by radiography or computed tomography; however, since there are no tumour markers, early diagnosis is difficult, and the prognosis is poor due to increased tumour volume. Nectin-4 has been reported to be expressed in human lung, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers and promotes tumour growth. It has been reported to be a tumour marker and prognostic factor, and oncolytic virotherapy is being investigated using nectin-4 as a therapeutic target. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of Nectin-4 in CPLA and its clinical significance in dogs with pulmonary adenocarcinomas. Methods: The relationships between Nectin-4 expression and signalling, tumour volume, tumour weight, and prognosis were analyzed in 34 CPLA patients. Results: The expression of canine Nectin-4 (high Nectin-4) was found in 25 of 34 cases (73%), and Nectin-4 expression levels did not show any significant associations with gender, body weight, and tumour stage. However, there was a significant positive correlation between Nectin-4 expression and tumour volume (r = 0.623, p < 0.05) and tumour weight (r = 0.735, p < 0.05). Regarding prognosis, the median survival time was 427 days in high Nectin-4 cases and 420 days in cases with no Nectin-4 expression. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that Nectin-4 is highly expressed in CPLA. In addition, nectin-4 might be a tumour growth factor in CPLA and thus is a promising biomarker for CPLA. Further investigations on nectin-4 in CPLA are warranted for its diagnosis and novel targets for oncolytic virotherapy.