Chromogranin A plasma concentration and expression in pancreatic islet cell tumors of dogs and cats
Search for other papers by Nathaniel C. Myers III in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Gordon A. Andrews in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Cindy Chard-Bergstrom in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
Objectives
To describe expression of the neuroendocrine marker chromogranin A (CgA) in canine and feline pancreatic islet cell tumors and their metastases, and to evaluate plasma CgA concentration in dogs and cats with insulinoma.
Sample Population
Paraffin-embedded tissues from 25 canine and 2 feline pancreatic islet cell tumors, 5 canine and 6 feline exocrine pancreatic tumors, and normal pancreatic tissue from 2 dogs and 2 cats. Heparinized plasma samples from 3 dogs and 2 cats diagnosed with insulinoma, and 10 control plasma samples from each species.
Procedure
Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on the 42 tissue specimens, using antisera against CgA, neuron-specific enolase, insulin, somatostatin, glucagon, and pancreatic polypeptide. The 25 plasma samples were evaluated, using a soluble-phase, double-antibody, equilibrium radioimmunoassay directed against the amino- and carboxy-terminal peptides of bovine CgA.
Results
Chromogranin A expression was found in 76% of canine and 2 of 2 feline pancreatic islet cell tumors. Of 7 animals with CgA immunoreactivity in primary tumors, 6 also had CgA immunostaining of metastatic lesions. Plasma CgA concentration in 2 dogs with insulinoma (0.9, 1.0 ng/ml) exceeded the reference range established for 10 clinically normal control dogs (0.50 ± 0.16 ng/ml). Feline plasma CgA samples had extensive nonspecific background immunoreactivity.
Conclusions
Chromogranin A is a useful immunohistochemical marker for pancreatic tumors of neuroendocrine origin and their metastases. Plasma CgA concentration determined by radioimmunoassay was high in 2 dogs with insulinoma.
Clinical Relevance
Immunohistochemical staining of tissues or cytologic specimens for CgA and/or neuron-specific enolase may help distinguish masses of unknown origin as neuroendocrine in nature. Increase in plasma CgA concentration may be useful diagnostically for animals with suspected neuroendocrine tumors. (Am J Vet Res1997;58:615–620)
| All Time | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Full Text Views | 2100 | 2030 | 34 |
| PDF Downloads | 115 | 65 | 3 |
