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.
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.
Figure 2. How to interpret Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does the Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test Measure?
The Nu.Q™ Vet Cancer test measures the level of nucleosomes that are circulating in the blood. When a patient has cancer, nucleosomes from those cancer cells are released into the blood and can be measured using antibodies that are specific to nucleosomes.
When should I have my dog tested?
The Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test is best suited to be used with the annual wellness check for older dogs (7 years and older) and can also be a complementary test for younger dogs (4 years and older) with an increased risk for developing cancer in their lifetimes such as, Labrador Retriever, French Bulldog, Golden Retriever, German Shepard, Beagle, Rottweiler, Boxer, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Great Dane, Miniature Schnauzer, Siberian Husky, Bernese Mountain Dog, Mastiff, Irish Wolfhound, Flat Coated Retriever, Scottish Wolfhound.
Is there any risk to having this test done?
One of the advantages to the Nu.Q™ Vet Cancer Screening test is that it is non-invasive, only requiring a peripheral blood draw. Since it is only a blood draw there is no significant risk to the dog and no required down time.
Will this test tell me what kind of cancer my dog has?
The Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test does not provide a definitive cancer diagnosis. The primary purpose of the test is to screen for cancer and if there is a suspicion of cancer your veterinarian should continue down the diagnostic pathway to confirm and locate the cancer. Refer to the How to Interpret the Results of the Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test and the Nu.Q® Vet Pathway for additional information.
What types of cancer has the Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test been able to detect?
o The Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test was shown to detect 76% of systemic cancers (lymphoma (77%) , hemangiosarcoma (82%) , and histiocytic sarcoma(54%) at 97% specificity. Data also suggests the Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test can detect some instances of Mast Cell tumors, Osteosarcoma, Oral Melanoma, and Soft Tissue Sarcoma(1).
How do I process the sample?
The sample can be drawn from a peripheral or jugular vein. Please ensure the animal is fasted for 4 hours prior to collection. The sample should be collected in an EDTA (lavender top) tube and centrifuged at 1600xg (the “blood” spin) for 10 minutes within one-hour of collection. The plasma should be pulled off and placed in a sterile red top (no additive) tube or cryovial for shipping. Please be careful not to disrupt the buffy coat while pulling off the plasma portion of the sample. Then ship the plasma overnight with ice packs.
What kind of tubes can I send the plasma sample in?
The plasma needs to be sent in a clean tube (no additives). This could be a red top tube, cryovial, or top test tube.
Do you accept samples over the weekend?
We do not accept samples over the weekend. 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. Samples should not be frozen before shipment.
What if I let the tube sit for more than 60 min before spinning?
This will likely falsely increase the nucleosome levels in the sample. Please redraw the sample and spin it down at 1600g for 10 min within 60 minutes of the blood draw.
Can I use serum instead of plasma?
Ideally the test should be performed on plasma and we do not recommend the use of serum as nucleosome levels are much less stable in serum. However, if serum is the only thing that you have the test can be performed but the sample MUST be centrifuged within 20 min of the blood draw and the serum removed immediately. Serum levels are often slightly higher than plasma levels, so if your patient has a result in the moderate risk zone, then you may need to retest the patient using plasma to confirm the mild elevation in nucleosomes.
Can I run this test on a sick patient or does the patient need to be healthy?
Inflammatory diseases such as immune mediated disease, systemic inflammation, sepsis and trauma can also cause elevated nucleosome levels. This test will not differentiate between sick patients with systemic inflammatory mediated illness and cancer. For this reason, we do not recommend running the test in patients that could have these types of diseases. However, the test may be run in dogs without systemic inflammation but with other illness such as hypothyroidism, renal disease, osteoarthritis, mild or moderate pyoderma or other such minor illnesses.
Can I still use the sample if the patient has not been fasted?
Dogs who have not been fasted for 4 hours may have slightly elevated levels when compared to fasted samples less than 4 hours in the same dog. If your dog has not been fasted, they may end up in the moderate risk zone even though they are healthy. If this is the case, please fast your dog for 4 hours and repeat the test at a later date. If the level remains elevated, then additional testing may be necessary.
When can I expect the results?
This assay will be performed twice per week so you can expect results within 3-5 business days.
What if I have questions about the results when I get them?
If you have any questions about the results, you have received or if you would like to book a consultation with a veterinary oncologist, please email AskNu.QVet@volition.com or call the Ask Nu.Q® Vet Hotline on 979-709- 2348.
