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Urine Albumin Concentration Is Increased in Dogs with Lymphoma or Osteosarcoma

SUMMARY:

Study shows that UAlb significantly increased in dogs with LSA or OSA compared to control dogs.
UPC may not increase above reference range even though MA may be present.

Increased urine albumin concentration (UAlb) may result in microalbuminuria (MA; 1-30 mg/dl) or overt proteinuria (>30 mg/dl) without increasing the urine protein:creatinine ratio (UPC). MA is more prevalent in older dogs and in dogs with a variety of infectious and metabolic disorders. MA is more prevalent in people with certain neoplasms, and may serve as a marker for tumor burden and prognosis. The purposes of this study were to determine if UAlb is increased in dogs with lymphoma (LSA) or osteosarcoma (OSA) and to determine if UAlb varies with remission status or tumor burden.

Dogs with LSA or OSA were prospectively enrolled if they had not yet received chemotherapy or surgical excision of their tumors. Voided urine samples were collected at each evaluation for urinalysis and determination of UAlb and UPC. Urine culture was performed at initial evaluation. Urine was cultured at subsequent visits if urinary tract infection was suspected based on urinalysis findings or signs of lower urinary tract disease, or if dogs were severely neutropenic (<1.0x103 cells/ul). Samples were excluded from data analysis if urine culture was positive. Remission status or tumor burden was determined by the attending clinician at each visit. Urine samples also were collected from 100 dogs (50 clinically normal dogs and 50 dogs presenting for evaluation of orthopedic disease) without systemic disease or recent history of glucocorticoid or antibiotic administration and confirmed to be free of urinary tract infection. A Wilcoxon test was used to determine significant differences (p<0.05) in UAlb between groups.

There was no significant difference in UAlb between clinically normal dogs and dogs with orthopedic disease (range 0.1-126.2 mg/dl; median 0.2; 25% 0.1; 75% 0.5). Of the control dogs, nine dogs had MA, three dogs had overt proteinuria, and three dogs had UPC >0.5. Dogs with LSA (n=19) or OSA (n=11) had significantly increased UAlb versus control dogs. UAlb in dogs with LSA ranged from 0.1-245.7 mg/dl (median 2.2; 25% 0.8; 75% 27.4); 9 dogs had MA, 4 dogs had overt proteinuria, and UPC was >0.5 in 4 dogs. UAlb in dogs with OSA ranged from 0.1-123.6 mg/dl (median 1.2; 25% 0.3; 75% 17.7); 5 dogs had MA, 1 dog had overt proteinuria, and UPC was >0.5 in 1 dog. UAlb was not significantly different between dogs with LSA and dogs with OSA. UAlb did not consistently decrease in dogs with LSA or OSA when they had no evidence of disease.

This study shows that UAlb is significantly increased in dogs with LSA or OSA compared to control dogs. UPC may not increase above reference range even though MA may be present. Additionally, UAlb does not consistently decrease with complete remission or decreased tumor burden. Analysis of larger numbers to control for other covariables may be required to demonstrate a definitive association with these neoplasms.

Reproduced with permission of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.