Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme activity is not a useful biomarker for canine splenic haemangiosarcoma

Abstract

Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity is derived normally from endothelial cells. It was hypothesised that serum ACE activity might be increased and serve as a biomarker in canine patients with endothelial cell cancer. Here, the serum ACE activity was determined in cases of canine splenic haemangiosarcoma (sHS, n=16), a relatively common malignant tumour of endothelial cells in dogs, and control dogs (n=29). There was no significant difference in serum ACE activity between these groups of dogs. Two of 16 dogs (13%) with sHS had serum ACE activities greater than any of the control dogs; however, the increases were slight. Serum ACE activity does not appear to be a useful biomarker for canine sHS.