Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, Vol 15, Issue 2, 115-122
Copyright © 2003 by American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians
Rate of apoptosis in feline mammary tumors is not predictive of postsurgical survival
G Sarli,
R Preziosi,
C Benazzi,
R Bazzo,
L Mandrioli,
and
PS Marcato
Department of Veterinary Public Health and Animal Pathology, Division of Veterinary Pathology, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
Invasion, cell proliferation and apoptosis are important biological features of neoplasia, bearing prognostic importance. Histological stage, mitotic index, and apoptotic index have been assessed in 33 feline malignant mammary tumors. Histological stage (P < 0.01) and mitotic index (P < 0.001) had a significant association with prognosis in univariate analysis. Apoptotic index did not correlate with survival (P = 0.44), and histological stage (P = 0.48) did not correlate with mitotic index (P = 0.39). In feline malignant mammary tumors the apoptotic index seems unable to predict survival and lacks any correlation with proliferation assessed as mitotic index. A possible explanation for the lack of correlation between apoptotic index and survival may be due to the rapid acquisition of pathways of apoptosis resistance in feline mammary tumors or to rapid hormone receptors loss.
