Investigation of a screening programme and the possible identification of biomarkers for early disseminated histiocytic sarcoma in Bernese Mountain dogs.

The aim of the study was to construct a screening programme for disseminated histiocytic sarcoma (DHS) in Bernese Mountain dogs using diagnostic imaging and blood analysis and evaluate blood borne biomarkers as early disease detection biomarkers. Healthy Bernese Mountain dogs were screened on four occasions in an attempt to detect early disease. Eleven blood borne biomarkers were examined for their worth as early tumour biomarkers. During 2.5 years, five dogs with early DHS were identified; four of these by diagnostic imaging. No dogs developed symptomatic DHS without being detected within 6 months of the screening programme. Only serum ferritin showed potential as a blood borne marker of the disease. Median survival times for the dogs with early DHS were 226 days. Screening programmes every 6 months for Bernese Mountain dogs over 4 years of age including diagnostic imaging and ferritin measurements may identify early DHS.