Increased plasma DR-70 (fibrinogen-fibrin degradation products) concentrations as a diagnostic biomarker in dogs with neoplasms

Background: Tumor biomarkers have used widely in clinical oncology in human medicine. Only a few studies have evaluated the clinical utility of tumor biomarkers for veterinary medicine. A test for fibrinogen and fibrin degradation products (DR-70) has been proposed as an ideal biomarker for tumors in humans. The clinical value of DR-70 for veterinary medicine however has yet to be determined.Objectives: Investigate the diagnostic value of DR-70 concentrations by comparing them between healthy dogs and dogs with tumors.Animals: Two hundred sixty-three dogs with different types of tumors were included. Sixty healthy dogs also were recruited for comparison.Methods: The DR-70 concentrations were measured in all recruited individuals by ELISA. Clinical conditions were categorized based on histopathology, cytology, ultrasound examination, radiology, clinical findings, and a combination of these tests.Results: The median concentration of DR-70 was 2.130 +/- 0.868 mu g/mL in dogs with tumors, which was significantly higher than in healthy dogs (1.202 +/- 0.610 mu g/mL; P < .0001). With a cut-off of 1.514 mu g/mL, the sensitivity and specificity of DR-70 were 84.03% and 78.33%, respectively. The area under curve was 0.883. The DR-70 concentration can be an effective tumor biomarker in veterinary medicine.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Increased DR-70 concentrations were not affected by tumor type, sex, age, or body weight. However, in dogs with metastatic mast cell tumors and oral malignant melanoma, DR-70 concentrations were significantly increased. Additional studies, including more dogs with nonneoplastic diseases, are needed to further evaluate the usefulness of DR-70 as a tumor biomarker.