PKM2 in Canine Mammary Tumors: Parallels to Human Breast Cancer

Comp Med. 2020 Aug 1;70(4):349-354. doi: 10.30802/AALAS-CM-20-000013. Epub 2020 Jul 27.

Abstract

PKM2 is a pyruvate kinase isoform that is the final and rate-limiting step in aerobic glycolysis in tumor cells. Increased expression of PKM2 has been detected in human cancers. The present study examined the expression of PKM2 in canine mammary tumors and assessed its prognostic significance. Paraffin sections of 5 adenomas, 67 carcinomas, and 5 samples of nonneoplastic hyperplasia from 77 dogs, aged 8 to 18 y, were evaluated. Significantly higher levels of PKM2 were detected among the carcinomas compared with all other tissues examined. The level of PKM2 expression in carcinoma tissue correlated positively with the tumor grade. These findings suggest that PKM2 may have a similar role in canine mammary tumors to its role in human breast cancer. As such, canine mammary tumors may be useful models for studies focused on the progression of human neoplastic disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / genetics*
  • Adenoma / metabolism
  • Adenoma / pathology
  • Adenoma / veterinary*
  • Animals
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dog Diseases / genetics*
  • Dog Diseases / metabolism
  • Dog Diseases / pathology
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Animal / genetics*
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Animal / metabolism
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Animal / pathology
  • Pyruvate Kinase / genetics
  • Pyruvate Kinase / metabolism*

Substances

  • Pyruvate Kinase