Endostatin and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Concentrations in Healthy Dogs, Dogs with Selected Neoplasia, and Dogs with Nonneoplastic Diseases

To evaluate the relationship between endostatin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in cancers of dogs, circulating concentrations of these 2 tumor‐associated markers were measured prospectively in healthy dogs (n = 44), dogs with tumors (n = 54), and dogs with nonneoplastic diseases (n = 42 for endostatin; n = 16 for VEGF). A canine‐directed enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kit was used for determination of endostatin, and a human‐directed kit was validated for detection of canine VEGF. Concentrations of endostatin for all dogs were 28–408 ng/mL. Increasing serum endostatin concentration was associated with increasing age ( P = .0396). Concentrations of endostatin were not different among groups of dogs ( P = .1989) when adjusted for age. Mean endostatin concentrations for all dogs were higher in dogs ( P = .0124) with detectable VEGF concentrations. Endostatin concentrations, when corrected for age, were related to decreasing PCV ( P = .032) but not white blood cell count ( P = .225) or platelet count ( P = .1990). Measurable VEGF (≥2.5 pg/mL) was detected in 3 (7.0%) of 43 healthy dogs. Dogs with tumors had detectable VEGF in 24 (44%) of 54 dogs, with concentrations ranging from 2.5–274 pg/mL; only 1 dog with a nonneoplastic disease process had detectable VEGF. VEGF concentrations for all dogs after correcting for age, endostatin, and disease categories were associated with increased white blood cell count ( P = .0032) and platelet counts ( P = .0064) and decreased PCV ( P = .0017). Linkage between increased endostatin and VEGF concentrations suggests that similar factors may influence concentrations of these markers. Further evaluation of endostatin and VEGF associations in dogs with tumors may provide information on the extent and progression of the disease.