Changes in ECPKA Levels Following Vincristine Administration in a Transmissible Venereal Tumor Dog

Abstract

A spayed male, Pomeranian, 10-year-old, presented to the veterinary hospital with swelling of the bulbus gland and exudate from the genitals. After general examinations such as complete blood counts, serum chemistry, X-rays and abdominal ultrasounds, fine needle aspiration tests for genital masses were performed. It was diagnosed with infectious genital tumor [Transmissible Venereal Tumor (TVT)] from the test results, vincristine was administered intravenously at a dose of 0.7 mg/m2 at intervals of 1 week and 3 times as a chemotherapy. During chemotherapy, genital masses decreased to normal, and the level of ECPKA(Extracellular cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A) before chemotherapy was 1015.08 UI, but one week after the third administration of vincristine, the level decreased significantly to 260.94 UI. ECPKA is very low in normal conditions, but its usefulness in the early detection of tumors in dogs has been suggested in the fact that it can be elevated in tumor tissue. Evaluation of the termination of chemotherapy while proceeding with treatment by checking blood levels such as ECPKA makes it possible to judge tumor remission, and it can be used before and after chemotherapy in various tumors other than TVT.