Canine intracranial meningiomas: Immunohistochemical evaluation of tissue factor, fibrin/fibrinogen and D-dimers.

The haemostatic system influences angiogenesis, cell growth and metastasis in solid tumours. The aim of this study was to investigate tissue factor (TF) expression, fibrin/fibrinogen and D-dimer deposition, as well as the occurrence of intravascular thrombosis (IVT) in canine intracranial meningiomas using immunohistochemistry. All but three (26/29) meningiomas expressed TF. TF immunolabelling was significantly higher in high-grade (grades II and III) than in low-grade (grade I) meningiomas. Fibrin/fibrinogen and D-dimer deposits were detected in all meningiomas and staining scores were statistically different between different meningioma grades. IVT was detected in 19/29 specimens, but no statistical differences were observed between different malignancy grades. In conclusion, the haemostatic system may be involved in meningioma pathobiology and may be a potential therapeutic target for canine meningiomas, as also suggested for human meningiomas.