Neoplasia Index
The Neoplasia Index (NI) is a dual-biomarker algorithm that combines the dysregulated proliferation marker TK and
the systemic inflammatory marker CRP (dogs) or Hpt (cats).
TK is involved in the synthesis of DNA
precursors and is only expressed in S-G2
cells (ie, cell division). TK levels have been
shown in numerous studies, both in humans
as well as animals, to correlate to the proliferative activity of tumor disease.
Le
ak
ag
e
Tumor Cell
Cytoplasm
TK1
dT
(TK2)
ATP
dTMP
ADP
Nucleus
DNA-synthesis
Others
elevated APP
Cancer
elevated TK
overlap
elevated NI
Trauma
The Acute Phase
Response
CRP/Hpt are major acute phase proteins
produced, mainly in the liver, in response to
inflammation and the release of cytokines.
Serum APP levels correlate to both the
severity and duration of the inflammatory
stimuli.
Inflammation
Infection
INFLAMMATION
Fibrinogen
Liver
Haptoglobin
Serum amyloid
protein
C-reactive protein
These two independent variables – thymidine kinase & acute phase
proteins – combine two distinct hallmarks of neoplasia: rapid, dysregulated cell division & systemic inflammation. The algorithm developed to
integrate the dual biomarkers, produces the resultant Neoplasia Index.
NI is useful in a wide variety of cancers(1-9):
• Lymphoma
• Carcinoma
• Sarcoma
• Hemangiosarcoma
• Histiocytic sarcoma
• Osteosarcoma
• Mast cell tumor (grade II and III)
• Others
1. Nakamura N, Momoi Y, Watari T, Yoshino T, Tsujimoto H, Hasegawa A. Plasma thymidine kinase activity in dogs with lymphoma and leukemia. Journal Veterinary Medical
Science. 1997, 59(10): 957-960
2. von Euler H, Einarsson R, Olsson U, Lagerstedt AS, Eriksson S. Serum thymidine kinase activity in dogs with malignant lymphoma: a potent marker for prognosis and
monitoring the disease. Journal Veterinary Internal Medicine 2004, 18: 696-702
3. Madewell, BR. Editorial: Serum thymidine kinase activity: an alternative to histologic markers of cellular proliferation in canine lymphoma. Journal of Veterinary Internal
Medicine, 2004, 18: 595–596.
4. von Euler HP, Ohrvik AB, Eriksson SK. A non-radiometric method for measuring serum thymidine kinase activity in malignant lymphoma in dogs. Research Veterinary
Science 2006, 80: 17-24
5. von Euler HP, Rivera P, Aronsson AC, Bengtsson C, Hansson LO, Eriksson SK. Monitoring therapy in canine malignant lymphoma and leukemia with serum thymidine
kinase 1 activity - evaluation of a new, fully automated non-radiometric assay", 2008. International Journal of Oncology. 2009, 34:505-510
6. Thamm DH, Kamstock DA, Sharp CR, Johnson SI, Mazzaferro E, Herold LV, Barnes SM, Winkler K, Selting KA. Elevated serum thymidine kinase activity in canine splenic
hemangiosarcoma. Veterinary and Comparative Oncology. 2011, doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5829.2011.00298.x
7. Selting KA, Sharp CR, Ringold R, Kouse J. Serum thymidine kinase 1 and C-reactive protein as biomarkers for screening clinically healthy dogs for occult disease.
Veterinary and Comparative Oncology. 2013, doi: 10.1111/vco.12052
8. Selting KA, Ringold, R. Use of thymidine kinase type 1 and C-reactive protein to detect cancer in dogs. Veterinary Cancer Society Abstract 2013.
9. Taylor SS, Dodkin S, Papasouliotis K, Evans H, Graham PA, Belshaw Z, Westberg S, von Euler HP. Serum thymidine kinase activity in clinically healthy and diseased cats: a
potential biomarker for lymphoma. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 2013, doi: 10.1177/1098612X12463928
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