QUARTERLY BEAT / DECEMBER 2025
NU.Q® VET CANCER TEST Nucleosomes are small fragments of chromosomes that are released into the blood during cell death. It has been shown that high cellular turnover in diseases such as cancer can increase the level of nucleosomes in the bloodstream. The Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test (developed by Volition; available through Antech Diagnostics and IDEXX) uses specific antibodies to quantify circulating nucleosomes (specifically H3.1 nucleosomes) in canine plasma to aid in cancer detection. In a multicenter study of 528 dogs with confirmed malignancies versus 134 healthy controls, the assay demonstrated 97% overall specificity, with higher sensitivity for hematopoietic malignancies such as lymphoma (~77%), hemangiosarcoma (~82%), and histiocytic sarcoma (~62%). Sensitivity across all cancer types was approximately 49.8%, and for some localized solid tumors (e.g., mast cell tumors, osteosarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma) detection rates were low. This test was designed to serve as a screening tool to be used as part of routine wellness checks. Significantly, nucleosome levels correlated with disease burden and response to therapy in hematopoietic cancers, suggesting there may also be some utility for monitoring remission and relapse. However, the test does not identify tumor location or type and should not be used as a replacement for imaging, cytology, or biopsy. Inflammation and other non-neoplastic causes can occasionally elevate nucleosome levels, though the high specificity of this test minimizes the chance of false positives in healthy dogs. Clinically, Nu.Q is best suited as an adjunctive screening and monitoring tool in older or high-risk dogs, or in conjunction with other diagnostics, rather than as a stand-alone test. 5
ABBREVIATIONS
CBC: cell blood count ICC: immunocytochemistry IHC: immunohistochemistry TCC: transitional cell carcinoma (also called urothelial cell carcinoma) UC: urothelial carcinoma (also called transitional cell carcinoma) PARR: PCR for antigen receptor rearrangement PCR: polymerase chain reaction
RESOURCES
• https://www.imprimedicine.com/flow-cytometry • Mochizuki H, Shapiro SG, Breen M. Detection of BRAF mutation in canine cancers using PCR-based assay. PLos One 2015;10(6):e0129534. • Decker B, Parker HG, Dhawan D, et al. Homologous mutation to human BRAF V600E is common in naturally occurring canine bladder cancer—evidence for a relevant model system and a novel diagnostic test. Mol Cancer Res. 2015;13(6):993–1002. • Mochizuki H, Kennedy K, Shapiro SG, et al. BRAF mutations in canine cancers and their value as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Vet Pathol. 2017;54(6):846-853. • Knapp DW, Dhawan D, Ostrander EA. New insights into canine bladder cancer and opportunities for comparative oncology. Nat Rev Urol. 2020;17(1):50-62. • Wilson-Robles H, Pennell M, Rissetto K, et al. Evaluation of nucleosome concentrations in canine plasma for the detection of cancer. BMC Vet Res. 2022;18(1):323. • De Remigio H, Ivey J, Wood J, et al. Plasma nucleosome concentrations for monitoring dogs with hematopoietic malignancies. Front Vet Sci. 2023;10:1184352. • Volition Veterinary. Nu.Q® Vet Cancer Test: Detecting Cancer Early to Give Dogs and Their Owners a Brighter Tomorrow. White paper. Volition Veterinary; 2025. Accessed October 13, 2025.
REFERENCES 1. https://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/costs/ 2. https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/chl/sample- collection-and-submission-instructions/ 3. https://easternvetpath.com/our- services/#immunocytochemistry 4. https://www.antechdiagnostics.com/test/cadet-braf/ 5. https://volition.com/nuq-vet-cancer-test-early- detection-dogs/
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