ERBB3: A potential serum biomarker for early detection and therapeutic target for devil facial tumour 1 (DFT1)

PLoS One. 2017 Jun 7;12(6):e0177919. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177919. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Devil Facial Tumour 1 (DFT1) is one of two transmissible neoplasms of Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) predominantly affecting their facial regions. DFT1's cellular origin is that of Schwann cell lineage where lesions are evident macroscopically late in the disease. Conversely, the pre-clinical timeframe from cellular transmission to appearance of DFT1 remains uncertain demonstrating the importance of an effective pre-clinical biomarker. We show that ERBB3, a marker expressed normally by the developing neural crest and Schwann cells, is immunohistohemically expressed by DFT1, therefore the potential of ERBB3 as a biomarker was explored. Under the hypothesis that serum ERBB3 levels may increase as DFT1 invades local and distant tissues our pilot study determined serum ERBB3 levels in normal Tasmanian devils and Tasmanian devils with DFT1. Compared to the baseline serum ERBB3 levels in unaffected Tasmanian devils, Tasmanian devils with DFT1 showed significant elevation of serum ERBB3 levels. Interestingly Tasmanian devils with cutaneous lymphoma (CL) also showed elevation of serum ERBB3 levels when compared to the baseline serum levels of Tasmanian devils without DFT1. Thus, elevated serum ERBB3 levels in otherwise healthy looking devils could predict possible DFT1 or CL in captive or wild devil populations and would have implications on the management, welfare and survival of Tasmanian devils. ERBB3 is also a therapeutic target and therefore the potential exists to consider modes of administration that may eradicate DFT1 from the wild.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Cell Lineage / genetics
  • Early Detection of Cancer
  • Facial Neoplasms / blood*
  • Facial Neoplasms / genetics
  • Facial Neoplasms / pathology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma / blood
  • Lymphoma / genetics
  • Lymphoma / pathology
  • Marsupialia / blood
  • Pilot Projects
  • Receptor, ErbB-3 / blood*
  • Receptor, ErbB-3 / genetics
  • Schwann Cells / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / blood*
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Receptor, ErbB-3

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the Dr Eric Guiler Tasmanian Devil Research grant through the University of Tasmanian and the Save the Tasmanian Devil Appeal (STDP) to DH and SS http://www.tassiedevil.com.au/tasdevil.nsf. The Department of Primary Industries water and Environment (DPIPWE) and the University of Adelaide provided financial and in kind support.