"Liquid Biopsy" for early cancer detection?

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Urine cultures in diabetic dogs

The recommendations for submitting urine cultures in diabetic dogs have changed over the past 25 years. Previously, routine submission of urine cultures was recommended regardless of clinical signs or urinalysis results, but current guidelines discourage submitting urine cultures in dogs without signs of lower urinary tract disease (LUTD). This study found that subclinical bacteriuria in diabetic dogs was relatively uncommon and no association was found between signs of LUTD and a positive urine culture. The best predictors of a positive urine culture were pyuria and the cytological presence of bacteria in the urine. The study recommends against routine submission of urine cultures in diabetic dogs, especially in the absence of pyuria and bacteriuria, to avoid unnecessary costs, antimicrobial resistance, and adverse effects. However, further studies are needed to support these findings.  

Nelson V, Downey A, Summers S, Shropshire S. Prevalence of signs of lower urinary tract disease and positive urine culture in dogs with diabetes mellitus: A retrospective study. J Vet Intern Med. 2023 Jan 28. doi: 10.1111/jvim.16634. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36708199. 

Bottom line - We may want to rethink our urine culture plans

Horners Syndrome with cervical myelopathy

Horner syndrome in dogs with cervical myelopathy is associated with noncompressive intraparenchymal lesions. The study showed that dogs with Horner syndrome had a higher rate of noncompressive intraparenchymal diseases and parenchymal hyperintensity on MRI compared to dogs with cervical myelopathy without Horner syndrome. However, the presence of Horner syndrome did not accurately predict the underlying lesion or surgical intervention needed. The overall survival rate among dogs with Horner syndrome was high, but lower than the control group without Horner syndrome. The study had limitations, including lack of definitive diagnosis of Horner syndrome and potential underestimation of partial Horner syndrome. Further research is needed to determine the predictive value of Horner syndrome for disease, surgical intervention, and prognosis. 

Murthy, VD, Phillips, K, Knipe, M, Giuffrida, M, Li, C-F. Horner syndrome as a physiological biomarker of disease in canine cervical myelopathy. J Vet Intern Med. 2023; 1- 8. doi:10.1111/jvim.16588 

Bottom line - Horner syndrome seems to be commonly associated with non-compressive disease

“Liquid biopsy” and early cancer detection in dogs

 The study aimed to examine how cancer is typically detected in dogs and to determine if adding a next-generation sequencing-based "liquid biopsy" test to a wellness visit has the potential to enhance cancer detection. Results showed that most cases of cancer in dogs were diagnosed after the onset of clinical signs and only 4% were detected through the current standard of care (wellness visit). Liquid biopsy detected cancer in 54.7% of the 359 dogs with a definitive cancer diagnosis, including 32% of dogs with early-stage cancer and 84% of dogs with advanced-stage disease. The addition of liquid biopsy to a dog's wellness visit has the potential to increase the detection of cancer, both preclinical and early-stage, and expand the breadth of cancer types that can be detected during routine care or a wellness visit. The liquid biopsy test should be considered complementary to a thorough physical examination and not a replacement. All authors were owners of diagnostic lab sponsoring research. 

Flory, A, McLennan, L, Peet, B, et al. Cancer detection in clinical practice and using blood-based liquid biopsy: A retrospective audit of over 350 dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2023; 37( 1): 258- 267. doi:10.1111/jvim.16616 

Bottom line - Shows promise for early cancer detection.

Just putting things in perspective …