Cancer is the most common cause of death in dogs over the age of 2 years in the US
Up to 50% of all dogs over the age of 10 will develop cancer in their lifetimes.
With approximately 84 million pet dogs in the United States, there are an estimated 6 million pet dogs diagnosed with cancer each year.
Earlier detection can save lives
It can also improve the quality of life of the dog and its owner.
Yet, as of today, there are few single assay cancer blood tests on the veterinary market. Currently, dogs suspected of having cancer are required to undergo a variety of diagnostic tests that may be expensive, time consuming, and painful for the animal.
We are hoping to change this with the
introduction of the Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test – now available for pre-order at the point-of-care from Heska. Also available through Reference Laboratories from IDEXX, Heska, and the GI Lab at Texas A&M University.
The Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test was developed with the goal of providing an accessible and affordable screening test to aid in early detection. This test can be easily integrated into your preventive care programs, and used alongside other routine bloodwork during regular wellness visits.
Introduce the Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test as part of the regular wellness check for older dogs and at risk breeds.
How does the Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test work?
DNA is compacted within a cell’s nucleus in the form of nucleosomes which are bead-like structures comprised of DNA coiling around a histone protein core.
When a patient (human or canine) has cancer, nucleosomes from those cancer cells are released into the blood and can be measured using antibodies that are specific to nucleosomes.
By measuring and analyzing nucleosomes, our Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test can identify patients who may have a cancer. This must then be confirmed by follow-up procedures – for example, a biopsy or scan. Please refer to the Nu.Q® Vet Pathway for more information on what tests and procedures may be included in the confirmatory process.
Veterinarians can preorder the Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test today for point-of-care from Heska. Nu.Q® Vet is also available through Reference Laboratories from IDEXX, Heska, and the GI Lab at Texas A&M University.
Clinical Evidence
Results of a study of over 650 dogs, both healthy and with cancer, have been published in a peer-reviewed journal. A variety of breeds, weights and cancer stages were represented in the dataset with samples collected from Texas A&M’s Veterinary Clinic and NCI’s DCTD Biorepository*.
Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test detects 76% of systemic cancers at 97% specificity. At the recommended cut-off, the Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test detected 77% of lymphoma, 82% of hemangiosarcoma, and 54% of histiocytic sarcoma at 97% specificity, versus control including all stages of lymphoma.
*Samples collected from: Canine plasma samples from the National Cancer Institute Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (NCI-DCTD)
biorepository and from active patients or healthy volunteers at the Texas A&M University Small Animal Teaching Hospital were purchased or collected
with owner consent, respectively, for this study. (Wilson-Robles et al. 2022: 8)
For more information about our Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test, browse through the Resources section of our website, or click here for technical documentation.
Systemic cancers
Building on previous studies, the Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test can now be used to detect a broader range of systemic canine cancers.
These include Lymphoma, Hemangiosarcoma, Histiocytic Sarcoma, Osteosarcoma, Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Malignant Melanoma, and Mast Cell Tumors.
Future Products in Development
Cats: We have begun research on a Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test for felines and hope to report data in the coming months.
Nu.Q® Vet now available for pre-order at the point-of-care through Heska
The Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test is now available for preorder on the Element i+ Immunodiagnostic Analyzer as the Heska Nu.Q® Canine Cancer Screen and Monitor
- The Element i+ can run multiple immunoassays on a single platform, providing quick results with minimal sample requirements. This makes it the perfect choice for cancer screening and monitoring in our patients, helping us to provide the best possible care and improve their quality of life
- With results ready in under 10 minutes, veterinarians can build a stronger bond with their clients by providing them with answers and a plan of action during the same visit
- Early detection is the key to successful treatment and a long, happy life for your pet patients, and the Heska Nu.Q® Canine Cancer Screen and Monitor makes it easier than ever to provide the best possible care. This is the element you’ve been missing in your practice.
Click to find out more about the point-of-care test
How to submit a sample
- Patients should be fasted (minimum 4 hours) for this test to be accurate.
- Draw down 2 – 5 mL of blood from a peripheral vein.
- Immediately fill EDTA tube(s) with blood.
- Spin the sample in-house at 1600xg for 10 minutes within 1 hour of sampling.
- Remove plasma and place in a non-additive tube (be careful to not disturb buffy coat).
- Ship sample with cold packs. Store in fridge until ready to ship. Please refer to your reference lab of choice for sample shipping logistics.
- Make sure to check when your Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test provider accepts samples, as some labs may not operate over the weekend.
Localized tumors are less likely to cause elevated plasma nucleosomes, and this test is not able to differentiate severe/systemic inflammation from cancer.
Results should be interpreted in clinical context in combination with history, physical exam and other diagnostic methods.
Note: The Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test identifies patients who may have cancer, however, not all neoplastic conditions are detectable using elevated plasma nucleosomes.
How to interpret the results
Consider using the Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test for all dogs (7 years and older) and younger dogs (4 years and older) with an increased risk of developing cancer in their lifetimes.
Download the How to Interpret Results pdf
Low Risk
Results are consistent with those found in healthy animals over the age of 1 year, and all genders.
Retest at your next visit
“Gray Zone”
If the patient has not been fasted, and is otherwise healthy, we recommend repeating the test at your earliest convenience.
If the patient has been fasted, and is otherwise healthy, we recommend testing in 2-4 weeks.
If the Nu.Q® score remains elevated after retest, please refer to the Nu.Q® Vet Pathway for procedures that may be included in the diagnostic process.
If the Nu.Q® score returns to the low risk level after retest, repeat test in 6-12 months as part of routine wellness screening.
High Risk
Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test results at the orange level are consistent with an increased risk of cancer in healthy animals over the age of 1 year, and all genders.
Confirmatory diagnostics should be used to confirm the suspicion of cancer.*
Please refer to the Nu.Q® Vet Pathway (page 7) for procedures that may be included in the diagnostic process.
*Please Note: Nucleosome spikes may occur when patients have not been fasted for a minimum of 4 hours, as well as conditions such as immune-mediated disease, systemic inflammation, sepsis, and trauma.
Case Studies
Belle
Golden Retriever (5 years)
- Presenting for annual wellness exam; doing well at home, a little more tired since they got a new puppy.
- TPR within normal limits; PE no significant findings; Minimum database CBC mildly low platelets at 190,000; Mild elevation in Alk Phos- 143 mg/dL; UA no significant findings.
Result
- Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test RESULT 187.6 ng/mL
- Result: 67.4−600 ng/mL — Cancer Suspicion: High
What to do next?
- Was Belle fasted? YES, she was fasted so proceed to full work up.
- Imaging: Owner agrees to an abdominal ultrasound and chest film.
- Result: Cranial mediastinal mass on chest rads.
- Perform FNA to get definitive diagnosis.
- Diagnosis: Unfortunately LSA.
Otis
MN Catahoula mix (12 years)
- Presenting for an annual recheck & doing well at home.
- TPR within normal limits; PE moderate dental tartar, Grade 1 murmur (new), mild arthritic changes to hip and elbows; Minimum database CBC stress leukogram, platelets 192,000, globulins 4.6; Negative HW test and fecal float; No significant finding UA.
Result
- Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test RESULT 618.4 ng/mL
- Result: >600 ng/mL — Cancer Suspicion: High to Very High
What to do next?
- Was Otis fasted? YES, she was fasted so proceed to full work up.
- Imaging: Chest radiograph, abdominal ultrasound, refer for advanced imaging like full body CT.
- Diagnosis: Unfortunately, there are numerous metastatic lesions on thoracic radiographs. Further investigation also determines a 6 cm cavitated splenic mass — hemangiosarcoma is the most likely cause.
Percy
FS Bichon Frise (8 years)
- Presenting for annual wellness check & doing well at home.
- TPR within normal limits; PE moderate dental tartar, SQ mass over left later flank that is soft and moveable, no other significant findings.
- As Dr. Sue Cancer Vet says, “see something, do something!” so #WhyWaitAspirate. If size of a pea and been there more than a month, then aspirate.
- Also, as part of Wellness Exam, you run blood work (minimum database) as well as the Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test.
- SUSPICION: Lymphoma
Result
- Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test Result : 58.2 ng/mL
- Result: 57.4−67.3 ng/mL ‑Cancer Suspicion: Moderate
What to do next?
- Check – Was Percy fasted? No! Repeat the test the following morning.
- Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test Result : 28.2 ng/mL
- Result: <57.4 ng/mL — Cancer Suspicion level: Low
- FNA of SQ mass: Diagnosis: Lipoma GREAT NEWS!
Hank
Great Dane Mix (10 years)
- Presenting for 3‑day history of right forelimb lameness.
- TPR within normal limits; PE firm painful mass associated with right carpus, toe touching lame, rest of PE unremarkable. Minimum database CBC stress leukogram 479,000 platelets; Mild elevation in Alk Phos: 283 mg/dL; UA few lipid droplets, 2+ protein, USG 1.040.
- SUSPICION: Osteosarcoma
Result
- Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test RESULT : 32.7 ng/mL
- Result: <57.4 ng/mL — Cancer Suspicion level: Low
- Radiograph RESULT – Unfortunately, mass found.
What to do next?
- If appropriate start Antifungal therapy and perform FNA or biopsy to get definitive diagnosis.
- Diagnosis: Osteosarcoma.
- Note: The current Nu.Q Vet Cancer Test more reliably detects systemic cancers rather than soft tissue or localized cancers.
Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Monitoring Test
In development
- Initial data of 21 dogs presented at the Veterinary Cancer Society Conference, November 2021.
The data demonstrates
- Nu.Q® Vet may serve as a more sensitive measurement of both minimal residual disease and remission.
- Circulating nucleosome elevations often precede obvious clinical progression, due to other possible causes of elevations in Nu.Q® concentrations it is recommended to have 2 consecutive elevations before altering the treatment or staging protocol in canine cancer patients
- Could be a useful tool to monitor disease response and progression.
- Further data due in 2022
Intellectual Property
Covers human and veterinary applications
Believed to be the only company working on ELISA measurement for epigenetically modified circulating nucleosomes.
As of March 2023:
34
Patent families
12
Patents granted in the U.S.
15
Patents granted in Europe
70
Additional patents granted worldwide
122
Patents pending
Nu.Q® Vet Now Available for Pre-Order at The Point-of-Care Through Heska