Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test

About the Test

Volition veterinary

After leading in the research and development of Volition’s Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test, the Texas A&M VMBS is now offering this easy-to-use, cost-effective cancer test through the GI Lab. It represents a significant development in veterinary medicine, as, until the release of this test, there were no accurate, simple, and affordable ELISA cancer screening tests available.

When to Use

The test is available to veterinarians in North America for use during annual wellness checks of older dogs, for cases where there is a suspicion of cancer, or for younger dogs from breeds with a high risk for developing cancer in their lifetimes. 

  • The Nu.Q® Vet Cancer test may not be able to differentiate between significant systemic inflammation and cancer. If you would like to discuss if this test is appropriate for your patient, or would like to discuss results, please contact us at AskNu.QVet@volition.com or call 979-709-2348 to set up a free consultation with a one of our oncologists.
  • Dogs that have not been fasted may have artificially elevated nucleosome levels and should be retested after fasting. If your patient has not been fasted, please indicate this on the submission form.

How It Works

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.

A peer-reviewed and published case series evaluating 7 different cancers found that the Nu.Q.® Vet Cancer Test detects 76% of systemic cancers (lymphoma – 77%, hemangiosarcoma – 82%, and histiocytic sarcoma – 54%) with 97% specificity.

Plasma Collection Protocol

Equipment

  • Benchtop centrifuge

Materials (similar items from other suppliers can be used)

  • Collection needle and syringe
  • K2-EDTA Lavender Top Tube
  • 1.8mL Cryotube vials (e.g. Fisher Cat #02-912-715) OR No-Additive Red top tube (plastic preferred)
  • Transfer pipettes (e.g. Fisher Cat #-711-9BM)

Patient should be fasted for a minimum of 4 hours prior to sampling

Protocol

  • ­Collect 1-3 mL whole blood in purple top K2-EDTA tubes
  • Within 1 hour of collection, centrifuge blood at 1600 x g for 10 min at Room Temperature
  • Carefully remove collection tubes from centrifuge and transfer plasma (the top layer above the rest of the whole blood) to fresh cryotube or clean red top tube using a sterile transfer pipette. Take care when transferring the plasma not to disrupt the buffy coat.
Illustrating portion of sample that's important with a photo and explanation that reads "Remove this portion of plasma—please do not disrupt the buffy coat (white layer of white blood cells between the plasma and red blood cells)."
Figure 1. Do not disrupt the buffy coat (white layer of white blood cells) on the sample.
  • The tube containing plasma should be placed into an insulated box and transported on ice to be received by the lab within 72 hrs of collection. Purified plasma can be stored at 4°C (in the refrigerator) and stored for no longer than 48 hours and shipped overnight on ice such that it is received by Friday at the latest. Samples should be collected Monday through Thursday (must ship out by Thursday at the latest) and ship overnight on ice to be received by the lab within 72 hrs. of collection. Samples may be collected on a Saturday and stored in the refrigerator until shipped on ice on Monday. We do not accept samples over the weekend. Samples should not be frozen before shipment. 

Processing Logistics

Interpreting Results

Figure 2. How to interpret Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test results.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

More Information (Videos)

Literature