00910-A: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Cyclooxygenase-2 Cross-Talk in Canine Mammary Cancers

Grant Amount: $12,960

Sakhila Banu, PhD; Texas A&M University

August 1, 2007 - January 31, 2009

Sponsor(s):

Breed(s): -All Dogs

Research Program Area: Oncology

Project Summary

Mammary cancer is the most common neoplasm in female dogs, and malignant neoplasms account for 50% of all mammary cancers and thus it becomes a devastating disease in dogs. Currently, chemotherapeutic strategies are very limited in dogs. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a hormone, secreted by cancer tissues promotes tumor cell migration, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), inhibition of tumor cell apoptosis (cell death), and inactivation of host anti-tumor immune cells. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is the rate limiting enzyme regulates PGE2 production. Increased level of COX-2 is considered as a hallmark of mammary neoplasia. Inhibition of COX-2 by non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs decreases the incidence of various cancers. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) regulates COX-2 expression and function. In the present study, the researchers determined the cross-talk between EGFR and COX-2 in canine mammary cancers. Mammary tumor tissues collected from clinical patients and immortalized canine mammary carcinoma cells were used as in vivo and in vitro models, respectively. The innovative study for the first time demonstrated the cross-talk between EGFR and COX-2 (PGE2 biosynthesis) in canine mammary carcinoma. These findings suggest that EGFR and COX-2 inhibitors in combination might be a potential therapeutic intervention to treat the mammary cancers in dogs.

Publication(s)

None at this time.