I Tried the Nu.Q Cancer Screen Test for Dogs

I may be a veterinarian, but I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t have a mini freak out every time one of my dogs has a slightly off schedule bowel movement. It doesn’t help that one of my dogs is an adopted Bernese mountain dog, which are notoriously cancer prone. They have a predisposition specifically to histiocytic sarcoma, a uniquely aggressive cancer. So when my clinic received word of a new cancer screening blood test for dogs, I knew I needed to give it a shot.

And so I did! P.S. This post is not sponsored. I just wanted to share my experience with you all. There is limited information available online at the time of writing this. 

 

What is Nu.Q Vet Cancer Screening Test?

I’ll keep the science brief. This test was developed in 2020 by Volition Veterinary Diagnostics Development LLC in collaboration with Texas A&M University. It works by detecting antibodies in the blood to nucleosomes (structures composed of DNA). Nucleosome are released in large quantities by many of the common canine, and human, cancers upon cell death.

The test is highly specific. This means it’s able to reliably detect the presence of at least 7 of the most common canine cancers: lymphoma (the most common canine cancer), hemangiosarcoma, malignant melanoma, osteosarcoma, mast cell tumor, soft tissue sarcoma, and last but not least the dreaded histiocytic sarcoma.

 

When Should the test be performed?

For most breeds, the test is recommended for dogs age 7 or older due to the highly increased risk of cancer with age. However for the following breeds, it is recommended to begin screening as early as 4 years old.

Labrador retriever, French bulldog, Golden retriever, German shepherd, Beagle, Rottweiler, Boxer, Pembroke Welsh corgi, Great Dane, Miniature schnauzer, Siberian husky, Mastiff, Irish wolfhound, Flat-coated retriever, Scottish wolfhound, and of course Bernese mountain dog

If you’d like to learn more about the statistics used to determine these results, I recommend the following link.

There are instances when the test is not recommended. Certain non-cancer factors can increase nucleosome concentrations and lead to a false positive results. These factors include: sepsis, trauma, immune-mediated disease,  systemic inflammation, and not fasting a minimum of 4 hours before blood specimen collection.*

*Do as I say and not as I do, and remove your pet’s food bowl the night before their test. See next section…

 

What were My Results?

I ended up performed the Nu.Q cancer screen test on my otherwise healthy berner a total of four times. The results usually took about a week to return each time. I began testing when he was four years old, as recommended of his breed (see above breed list).

 

2023 Results (April 2023 and September 2023)

 

Result 1.  73.2 ng/mL High. TRIGGER FREAKOUT. I told you, even vets can be pet hypochondriacs.

 

For reference, a “you don’t need to worry” value is 50 or below, and a “your dog probably has cancer” value is above 80. This value falls in the lovely gray range of “intermediate cancer risk”.

“May represent early-stage cancer or cancers with low levels of circulating nucleosomes”. Ensure patient was fasted for a minimum of 4 hours before sample collection. Collect new, fasted sample if necessary. If patient is clinically healthy, retest in 1 month. If clinical suspicion of cancer exists, additional diagnostics should be used to establish a definitive diagnosis of cancer.

So essentially, there is possibly cancer, but also possibly an error. I began to ponder. I knew I hadn’t actively fed him breakfast that morning. But I also never picked up his bowl. He could have snuck some leftover kibble I failed to notice in the hours prior to the test. Annoyed at my own lack of meticulousness, I decided to repeat the test again.

 

Result 2. <22.7 ng/mL Normal. TRIGGER INSTANT RELIEF.

 

With confirmation that Ovi had neither early or full blown cancer, I was finally able to relax. He must have just helped himself to a early morning snack before the first test. Or, maybe he had a mild or asymptomatic infection that went unnoticed. That must be it, right? Right? Right…

 

2024 Results (May 2024 and July 2024)

 

Result 3 – Intermediate Risk. TRIGGER ANNOYANCE.

 

Result 4 – Normal. TRIGGER CONFUSION… and relief?

 

I know without a doubt Ovi had no access to food for either of the 2024 tests. And as far as I could tell, he met none of the other criteria previously listed. There is also very little literature to further elaborate on other causes of these repeated intermediate values. I recommend taking any intermediate values with a grain of salt. Before stressing, repeat the test as I did, and as I will likely continue having to do.

This isn’t to say the Nu.Q cancer screen isn’t a valuable diagnostic tool, false results can occur with any test. I’m more so saying, allow my experience to guide your experience. I will continue using this test for my own pets and other patients moving forward.

 

So, Finally – Where Do You Order it? 

For Pet Owners, you simply need to ask your Veterinarian if the offer Nu.Q cancer screen test. Unfortunately not all clinics (or countries) are currently able to. For Veterinarians or veterinary staff in the USA reading this, as of 2024* the test can be ordered and submitted through Idexx laboratories, or performed in house via Antech (through Heska). This latter option obviously requires the equipment though. For those in other countries, see the bottom of this link to see if the test is available to you.

For vet staff: The test requires plasma obtained from an EDTA tube. (A purple top for us vets who rely on our techs and/or assistants for these things.) Centrifuge for 10–15 minutes at 1500–3000 rcf and at room temperature. The sample then needs to be kept refrigerated, and should be sent out within 24 hours.

*As of January 2024, the test is no longer able to be ordered through Texas A&M University’s GI Lab.

I hope you find this post helpful it helped you to consider to try or offer the Nu.Q cancer screen test yourself.

TLDR:

1. There is a relatively new cancer screening test available for dogs. It can check for 7 types of cancers.
2. Certain breeds should be tested starting at 4 years old, others at 7. See the list above.
3. Certain factors can affect results. Make sure to fast your pet for at least 4 hours!
4. Don’t worry if a result comes bag ambiguous. Just repeat it and stay calm.