In human medicine, the link between obesity and cancer onset and progression has already been suspected and, in some cases, demonstrated. Often, obese/overweight cats with cancer are examined in clinics. We hypothesize that cancer may show different outcomes in obese/overweight and not-obese cats, since obesity and related factors released by adipocytes can influence the biological behavior of cancer cells. Among these factors, circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their cargo might play a role and represent useful new biomarkers. Aim of the present study was to isolate and analyze circulating EVs in different feline patients, establishing a protocol for future analyses. Blood samples were collected from four groups of feline patients i) obese/overweight without cancer (3); ii) obese/overweight with cancer (6); iii) not-obese without cancer (1); iv) not-obese with cancer (5). Samples were processed to isolate EVs, by size exclusion chromatography and ultracentrifugation. The presence of EVs was confirmed by Western blot analysis of EV markers and TEM; the number of particles was counted by NTA (nanoparticle tracking analysis). With this study we developed a protocol to isolate EVs from feline plasma that can be applied in future investigations. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney test to assess differences between groups and linear regression models to investigate the relationships among the variables. Even though no differences were observed in the number of particles among patients' groups, variation of particles' size was recorded. The limited number of cases included and the EV isolation methods applied, based only on size, could have influenced the data, and improvement to the test will be implemented in future investigations. Although preliminary, these data lay the basis for the development of a new blood-based test to predict cancer prognosis in obese/overweight cats.
Analysis of circulating extracellular vesicles in cats: preliminary insight into their role in cancer and obesity
Cilli E.;Rinaldi V.;Musi A.;Baffoni M.;Boari A.;Crisi PE.;Bongiovanni L.
2026-01-01
Abstract
In human medicine, the link between obesity and cancer onset and progression has already been suspected and, in some cases, demonstrated. Often, obese/overweight cats with cancer are examined in clinics. We hypothesize that cancer may show different outcomes in obese/overweight and not-obese cats, since obesity and related factors released by adipocytes can influence the biological behavior of cancer cells. Among these factors, circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their cargo might play a role and represent useful new biomarkers. Aim of the present study was to isolate and analyze circulating EVs in different feline patients, establishing a protocol for future analyses. Blood samples were collected from four groups of feline patients i) obese/overweight without cancer (3); ii) obese/overweight with cancer (6); iii) not-obese without cancer (1); iv) not-obese with cancer (5). Samples were processed to isolate EVs, by size exclusion chromatography and ultracentrifugation. The presence of EVs was confirmed by Western blot analysis of EV markers and TEM; the number of particles was counted by NTA (nanoparticle tracking analysis). With this study we developed a protocol to isolate EVs from feline plasma that can be applied in future investigations. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney test to assess differences between groups and linear regression models to investigate the relationships among the variables. Even though no differences were observed in the number of particles among patients' groups, variation of particles' size was recorded. The limited number of cases included and the EV isolation methods applied, based only on size, could have influenced the data, and improvement to the test will be implemented in future investigations. Although preliminary, these data lay the basis for the development of a new blood-based test to predict cancer prognosis in obese/overweight cats.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
