Early Enhancement in Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography Is an Index of DUSP9, SLPI, ALDH1L2, and SLC1A1 Expression in Canine Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Preliminary Study

TL;DR

This study links CT imaging patterns in canine liver cancer to specific gene expressions, suggesting CT can reflect genetic changes in tumors.

Contribution

It identifies specific genes associated with CT enhancement patterns in canine hepatocellular carcinoma.

Findings

DUSP9, SLPI, and ALDH1L2 are upregulated in enhancement HCC.

SLC1A1 is downregulated in non-enhancement HCC.

CT findings correlate with gene expression in canine HCC.

Abstract

Genetic alterations affect the prognosis and treatment of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Research has begun to assess genetic alterations using minimally invasive and reproducible computed tomography (CT). However, the relationship between CT findings and the genomic information of canine HCC is unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between enhancement patterns in the arterial phase of CT imaging and gene expression in canine HCC using RNA sequencing. Based on the CT findings, three of the eight dogs studied were classified as having enhancement HCC and five as having non-enhancement HCC. RNA sequencing was performed using the mRNA extracted from the specimens. DUSP9, SLPI, and ALDH1L2 were the most upregulated genes in enhancement HCC, whereas SLC1A1 was the most downregulated gene in non-enhancement HCC. Canine HCC may involve different angiogenesis mechanisms. CT findings can be used to assess the gene expression status in canine HCC and may add new value to CT imaging.

Canine hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by distinct computed tomography (CT) findings. HCC exhibits tumor heterogeneity, with different genomic information and histopathological features within the same tumor. In human HCC, genetic alterations affect the prognosis and treatment, and research has begun to assess genetic alterations using minimally invasive and reproducible CT. However, the relationship between CT findings and the genomic information of canine HCC is unknown. Early contrast of HCC indicates increased intratumoral neovascular growth. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between enhancement patterns in the arterial phase of CT imaging and gene expression in canine HCC using RNA sequencing. Based on the CT findings, three of the eight dogs studied were classified as having enhancement HCC and five as having non-enhancement HCC. RNA sequencing was performed using the mRNA extracted from the specimens. Eight differentially expressed genes met the cutoff criteria. Among these, DUSP9, SLPI, and ALDH1L2 were the most upregulated genes in enhancement HCC, whereas SLC1A1 was the most downregulated in non-enhancement HCC. Canine HCC may involve different angiogenesis mechanisms. CT findings can be used to assess the gene expression status in canine HCC and may add new value to CT imaging.

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