Malignant transformation of a giant congenital pigmented nevus (hamartoma) in a dog

A male Golden Retriever was born with a large area of abnormal skin and hair on the distal pelvic limb. A tumour arose from the proximal margin of this area at 5 years of age. Histopathological examination of the abnormal area of skin revealed an area in which follicles were surrounded by nodular accumulations of densely packed round to spindle-shaped cells with fine granular intracytoplasmic melanin. Similar cells were present within the subcutaneous fat, and clusters of densely pigmented melanocytes were scattered within the basal epidermis, follicular epithelium, and dermis. A diagnosis of giant congenital pigmented nevus (hamartoma) was made. The tumour from the proximal end of this area was composed of densely packed, moderately pleomorphic, poorly differentiated and pigmented, spindle-shaped to epithelioid melanocytes, and was diagnosed as malignant melanoma. Metastasis of the malignant melanoma to the stifle and inguinal regions occurred within 6 months. To date, the authors are unaware of prior reports of a canine giant congenital pigmented nevus (hamartoma) with transformation to a malignant melanoma.     

Preclinical Development of Seriniquinones as Selective Dermcidin Modulators for the Treatment of Melanoma

The bioactive natural product seriniquinone was discovered as a potential melanoma drug, which was produced by the as-yet-undescribed marine bacterium of the rare genus Serinicoccus. As part of a long-term research program aimed at the discovery of new agents for the treatment of cancer, seriniquinone revealed remarkable in vitro activity against a diversity of cancer cell lines in the US National Cancer Institute 60-cell line screening. Target deconvolution studies defined the seriniquinones as a new class of melanoma-selective agents that act in part by targeting dermcidin (DCD). The targeted DCD peptide has been recently examined and defined as a “pro-survival peptide” in cancer cells. While DCD was first isolated from human skin and thought to be only an antimicrobial peptide, currently DCD has been also identified as a peptide associated with the survival of cancer cells, through what is believed to be a disulfide-based conjugation with proteins that would normally induce apoptosis. However, the significantly enhanced potency of seriniquinone was of particular interest against the melanoma cell lines assessed in the NCI 60-cell line panel. This observed selectivity provided a driving force that resulted in a multidimensional program for the discovery of a usable drug with a new anticancer target and, therefore, a novel mode of action. Here, we provided an overview of the discovery and development efforts to date.     

A case of malignant melanoma,a possible primary site in the digit,with systemic metastasis in a mini-Rex

We report a case of systemic metastasis of malignant melanoma in a mini-Rex (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The animal presented with lameness of the right hind limb, swelling of popliteal lymph node, and a black mass on the first digit. Paralysis of hindlimbs and forelimbs, dysuria, and dysphagia progressed over time, and the rabbit died on day 35 from the first visit. At necropsy, many black lesions were observed in multiple organs including the marrow of most bones. Histopathologically, the tumor cells had highly atypical nuclei of various sizes and an abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, and some cells contained melanin granules. These cells were positive for PNL2 and S-100, melanoma markers, by immunohistochemistry. This is the first report of malignant melanoma in a mini-Rex with severe malignancy and systemic metastasis including the bone marrow.     

Unilateral malignant melanoma of the adrenal gland with metastatic spread to the thorax in a horse

A 7-year-old grey horse that had a history of inappetence, weight loss, weakness, dyspnoea, coughing and intermittent colic was examined post-mortem. A melanoma, confirmed histologically, was found in the right adrenal gland and had eroded into the posterior vena cava. Thoracic metastases were also identified. The skin, including the legs, trunk and perineum was normal with no evidence of melanomas. This was considered to be a primary, malignant melanoma, a novel finding in the adrenal gland of the horse.     

Infrared digital imaging of the equine anterior segment

Ocular photographs are an increasingly important method of documenting lesions for inclusion in medical records, teaching purposes, and research. Availability of affordable high-quality digital imaging equipment has allowed for enhanced capture of desired images because of immediate on-camera viewing and editing. Conversion of the standard digital camera sensor to one that is sensitive to infrared light (i.e. > 760 nm < 1 mm wavelength) can be done inexpensively. In the equine eye, advantages of infrared digital photography include increased contrast of anterior segment images, identification and monitoring of pigmentary changes, and increased visualization of the anterior segment through a cloudy or edematous cornea.     

丹参酮I抑制小鼠B16黑色素瘤细胞研究

将丹参酮I（含量为90%）配制成不同浓度作用于体外培养的B16细胞,对B16细胞用MTT法检测药物对细胞生长抑制率,收集并采用PI染色,观察细胞的形态,通过流式细胞术（FCM）检测细胞周期及凋亡率。结果表明：不同质量浓度的（5、4、3μg/mL）丹参酮I对B16细胞的抑制作用均有明显的剂量和时间效应;丹参酮I可以使B16细胞周期的构成发生明显的变化;丹参酮I对B16细胞的生长有明显的抑制作用,作用机制之一是使S期细胞的比例降低,促使细胞凋亡。     

新城疫病毒HN基因与鸡贫血病病毒VP3基因对小鼠黑色素瘤的联合抑制效应

在 C57BL/6小鼠的左后肢肌肉注射脂质体包裹的含新城疫病毒 HN基因和鸡贫血病病毒 VP3基因的重组质粒。 2周后 ,在左后肢相同部位皮下接种 B16黑色素瘤细胞 2× 10 5个 ,致瘤 2、10 d后 ,分别肌注相同的重组质粒 .通过细胞毒 T淋巴细胞和自然杀伤细胞 (NK)以及小鼠血清中唾液酸含量的测定 ,探讨新城疫病毒抑瘤的机制以及新城疫病毒 HN基因与鸡贫血病病毒 VP3基因的协同抑瘤效应。结果表明 ,与对照组相比 ,注射含 HN基因和 VP3基因的重组质粒可使荷瘤鼠的肿瘤体积缩小。用新城疫病毒或含新城疫病毒 HN基因重组质粒治疗的荷瘤鼠 ,NK活性、CTL 活性明显高于对照组 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,血清中唾液酸含量低于对照组 ,但差异均不显著 (P >0 .0 5 )。从而证明新城疫病毒 HN基因能够增强小鼠对移植瘤的免疫杀伤力 ,是新城疫病毒发挥抗肿瘤作用的主要功能性基因。     

Pigmented squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva of a horse

Abstract A heavily pigmented tumor was removed from the lateral, perilimbal, bulbar conjunctiva of a bay Thoroughbred horse. Excision was incomplete and the base of the tumor was lasered on the assumption that the tumor was a melanoma. No other ophthalmic lesions were seen. Histology showed the mass to be a pigmented squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The prognosis and recommended treatment protocols are different for SCC and melanoma. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of an ocular, pigmented SCC in the veterinary literature.     

Malignant ocular melanoma in a dog

A mongrel male dog of three years old was referred to the Seoul National University Veterinary Teaching Hospital following a one month history of glaucoma. On ophthalmic examination, hyphema, glaucoma, uveitis, iridal mass, and loss of vision were noted in the right eye. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed a mass with involvement of the entire uvea. Radiographic evaluation did not reveal any evidence of distant metastasis. The right eye was surgically removed because of the high likelihood of neoplasia. A histologic diagnosis of malignant uveal melanoma was made.