Immunolabelling of c-KIT and CAM5.2 in Canine Anal Sac Gland Adenocarcinoma

The role of c-KIT receptor in anal sac gland adenocarcinoma (ASGAC) is unclear despite its importance in the development of tumours. In this preliminary study, the expression of c-KIT was investigated in rarely observed canine ASGAC. The potential use of CAM5.2 in distinguishing ASGAC from perianal gland tumours was also evaluated. ASGAC was diagnosed in five out of 25 examined perianal tumours. By immunohistochemistry, cytosolic (abnormal) c-KIT expression was seen in four of the five cases. CAM5.2 immunoreactivity was detected in neoplastic cells of all ASGAC cases examined, whereas it was not evident in any case of perianal gland tumour. The findings suggest that c-KIT expression and its cellular localization may be important in the oncogenesis of ASGAC and CAM5.2 can be used to distinguish between ASGAC and perianal gland tumours.