For Veterinary Oncologists

Prognostic Marker Profiling: Identify molecular signatures that predict survival and treatment response in canine lymphoma, osteosarcoma, mast cell tumors, and other cancers.

Treatment Response Monitoring: Quantify gene expression changes during therapy to assess effectiveness and guide treatment adjustments.

Cancer Subtype Classification: Distinguish molecular subtypes beyond histopathology, enabling more precise treatment selection.

Minimal Residual Disease Detection: Detect low-level disease after treatment that may indicate need for continued or modified therapy.

Clinical Trial Support: Biomarker analysis for patient stratification, response assessment, and mechanistic understanding in canine cancer trials.

For General Practice Veterinarians

Referral Decision Support: Molecular data helps determine when to refer to specialists versus manage cases locally.

Client Communication: Objective prognostic data strengthens discussions with pet owners about treatment options and expected outcomes.

Treatment Selection Guidance: Identify markers that guide therapy choices (e.g., KIT expression in mast cell tumors indicating likelihood of response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors).

Treatment Monitoring: Track treatment effectiveness at molecular level, complementing clinical assessment and imaging.

Early Detection Screening: Screen for molecular changes in at-risk patients before clinical symptoms develop.

Pre-Designed Panels Based on Published Literature

Canine Lymphoma Prognostic Panel

15 genes: BCL2, MYC, TP53, KI67, CCND1, BCL2L1, BAX, CDKN1A, CD20, CD79A, plus validated endogenous control genes

Clinical Utility: Prognostic stratification at diagnosis, treatment intensity decisions, subtype classification, prediction of treatment resistance

Applications: Guide aggressive versus standard CHOP protocols, inform pet owner discussions about prognosis, identify high-risk cases for early rescue therapy consideration

Pricing: $600 one-time setup (covers primer set acquisition and validation—essentially our cost) + $400 per case. The setup is a one-time investment; primer sets can be used for hundreds of samples. After just 3-4 cases, the effective per-case cost drops below $600 total.

Osteosarcoma Metastatic Risk Panel

12 genes: Ezrin, ANKRD17, MGST1, NCOR1, MRPS31, MET, VEGF, TP53, plus validated controls

Clinical Utility: Metastatic risk assessment, survival prediction, treatment planning

Applications: Stratify metastatic potential at time of surgery, identify candidates for intensified therapy or clinical trials, guide surveillance protocols

Pricing: $500 one-time setup (covers primer set acquisition and validation—essentially our cost) + $350 per case. The setup is a one-time investment; primer sets can be used for hundreds of samples. After just 3-4 cases, the effective per-case cost drops below $500 total.

Mast Cell Tumor Behavior Panel

10 genes: KIT, TP53, VEGF, Tryptase, Chymase, KI67, PCNA, plus validated controls

Clinical Utility: Predict aggressive behavior beyond histological grade, guide use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (toceranib, masitinib)

Applications: Determine need for adjuvant therapy after surgical excision, select appropriate candidates for targeted therapy, assess metastatic potential

Pricing: $400 one-time setup (covers primer set acquisition and validation—essentially our cost) + $300 per case. The setup is a one-time investment; primer sets can be used for hundreds of samples. After just 3-4 cases, the effective per-case cost drops below $400 total.

Mammary Carcinoma Receptor Panel

8 genes: ESR1 (estrogen receptor), PGR (progesterone receptor), HER2/ERBB2, Ki67, COL1A1, FAP, CXCL12, plus controls

Clinical Utility: Hormone receptor status, HER2 amplification assessment, prognostic stratification

Applications: Guide ovariohysterectomy timing decisions, identify aggressive molecular subtypes, inform adjuvant therapy recommendations

Pricing: $300 one-time setup (covers primer set acquisition and validation—essentially our cost) + $250 per case. The setup is a one-time investment; primer sets can be used for hundreds of samples. After just 3-4 cases, the effective per-case cost drops below $350 total.

Need a Custom Panel?

We specialize in designing gene panels tailored to YOUR clinical questions and case types. Whether you’re profiling an unusual cancer, investigating specific pathways, validating published biomarkers, or exploring novel targets, we’ll work with you to create the optimal panel.

Free consultation included. Our PhD scientists will review relevant veterinary oncology literature and recommend genes based on published evidence and your clinical goals.

Contact Us for Custom Panel Design

The Veterinary Advantage: No CLIA or GLP Barriers

Unlike human diagnostic testing, veterinary diagnostics are not subject to CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) certification requirements or GLP (Good Laboratory Practices) compliance mandates. This regulatory flexibility provides significant advantages:

Lower Costs: No CLIA compliance overhead (facility requirements, extensive QC documentation, proficiency testing, inspections) means we can offer research-grade quality at veterinary-accessible pricing—significantly more affordable than equivalent human diagnostic testing.

Faster Turnaround: Streamlined workflows without extensive regulatory documentation requirements mean 5-7 business day delivery instead of the 2-3 weeks typical of CLIA-certified human diagnostic labs.

Greater Flexibility: We can design custom gene panels specifically for your cases without navigating regulatory approval processes. If you’re treating an unusual cancer or want to profile specific genes based on recent literature, we can create that panel quickly.

Direct Scientist Access: Talk directly with PhD scientists for consultation and interpretation without layers of regulatory compliance personnel as intermediaries. This direct access means better communication and more clinically relevant insights.

Maintaining Scientific Rigor

Absence of CLIA requirements doesn’t mean lower quality—it means appropriate quality for veterinary applications. Our qPCR services include:

• PhD-level scientists with years of gene expression expertise
• Validated primer/probe sets based on published veterinary literature
• Proper controls: no-RT controls, no-template controls, positive controls
• Comprehensive QC including RNA integrity assessment (Agilent Bioanalyzer)
• Reference gene normalization using validated canine housekeeping genes
• Complete data transparency: raw Ct values, all replicates, QC metrics provided
• Statistical analysis with appropriate tests
• Interpretation guidance from scientists who understand comparative oncology

Sample Types & Submission

We accept the sample types routinely collected in veterinary practice:

• FFPE tissue (most convenient – ships room temperature)
• Fresh frozen tissue (highest RNA quality)
• Fine needle aspirates (minimally invasive)
• Previously isolated RNA (immediate analysis)

We provide: Detailed submission and shipping instructions, sample collection guidance, and comprehensive quality control upon receipt.

Our Process & Timeline

Standard turnaround: 5-7 business days from sample receipt to results delivery

1. Consultation & Panel Design(Day 0) – Free discussion of your case and clinical questions
2. Sample Submission(Days 1-2) – Detailed sample submission and shipping instructions
3. RNA Extraction & QC(Days 3-4) – Quality assessment with immediate contact if issues arise
4. qPCR Analysis(Days 5-6) – Triplicate analysis with proper controls and reference genes
5. Results & Consultation(Day 7) – Complete report with PhD scientist interpretation

Expedited service available for urgent cases (2-3 day turnaround, additional fee)

Why Gene Expression Analysis? Comparison to Other Methods

Gene expression profiling via qPCR offers veterinarians several advantages over other molecular and cellular diagnostic options:

qPCR vs. Immunohistochemistry (IHC)

Advantages of qPCR:

• Quantitative numerical fold-change values vs. subjective scoring (1+, 2+, 3+)
• Multiple genes analyzed simultaneously in single panel vs. one protein per tissue section
• More sensitive detection of expression changes
• Less ambiguous—numerical data is more objective than visual staining interpretation
• Works with partially degraded FFPE tissue where antibody epitopes might be compromised

When IHC is preferable: Spatial information needed (which cells express the marker), established protein markers with validated antibodies

Complementary use: IHC for initial assessment and spatial information, qPCR for quantitative confirmation and broader profiling

qPCR vs. Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)

Advantages of qPCR:

• Much more affordable: $500-2,000 vs. $3,000-8,000+ for NGS
• Faster turnaround: 5-7 days vs. 2-3 weeks for NGS
• Targeted and clinically relevant: focuses on genes with known utility rather than generating vast datasets
• Better for expression quantification: qPCR is gold standard; NGS provides estimates often requiring qPCR validation
• Lower input requirements: needs less RNA, works with lower-quality RNA

When NGS is preferable: Discovery research, comprehensive transcriptomic profiling, identifying mutations (not just expression)

Complementary use: NGS for discovery and broad profiling in research; qPCR for clinical validation and routine diagnostic use

qPCR vs. Flow Cytometry/Immunophenotyping

Advantages of qPCR:

• Works on solid tissues (flow cytometry requires viable cells in suspension)
• Assesses mRNA expression (captures regulatory changes before protein translation)
• Stable samples accepted (FFPE fine; flow requires fresh samples processed quickly)
• Broader gene panel possible (intracellular genes, transcription factors not accessible to flow)

When flow cytometry is preferable: Lymphoma/leukemia immunophenotyping, analyzing mixed cell populations

Complementary use: Flow cytometry for initial lymphoma diagnosis; qPCR for prognostic marker profiling

Transparent Veterinary Pricing

Individual Gene Analysis

SYBR Green assays: $50 per gene (one-time cost, up to 1,000 samples) TaqMan assays (inventoried): $225 per gene (up to 100 samples) TaqMan assays (custom made-to-order): $325 per gene Per-sample analysis: $16.50 per sample per gene (triplicate wells) or $15 (duplicate wells)

Multi-Gene Panels

Pre-designed panels: $400-800 one-time setup + $250-400 per case

Understanding the setup fee: The one-time setup charge covers our costs to acquire and validate all primer sets for the panel—it’s essentially what we pay for the reagents. This is a one-time investment, not a recurring charge. Once we’ve established your panel, those primer sets can be used for hundreds of your future cases.

Long-term value: After just 3-4 cases, the amortized setup cost brings the effective per-case total to $350-600 depending on panel size. For practices that see specific cancers regularly (lymphoma, MCT, osteosarcoma), this becomes extremely cost-effective compared to per-case pricing from other labs. Volume or contract pricing also available, contact us for details.

Example: A practice running 15 lymphoma cases per year on our $1,200 setup + $400/case panel:

• Year 1: Total cost = $800 + (15 × $400) = $6,800 (~$450/case average)
• Year 2 and beyond: Total cost = (15 × $400) = $6,000 ($400/case)
• Over 2 years: 30 cases = $13,200 ($440/case average)

Compare this to commercial labs charging $800-1,500 per case with no volume discounts.

Custom panels: Quote based on gene number and complexity. Free consultation to discuss your specific needs.

Add-On Services

RNA isolation: $40 per sample RNA integrity assessment (Bioanalyzer): $30 per sample Expedited service: Contact for rush pricing and timeline

What’s Included

Every gene panel includes:

• Expert panel design consultation (free)
• All reagents and consumables
• Complete data analysis with ΔΔCt calculations
• Statistical analysis with appropriate tests
• PhD scientist interpretation support
• Publication-ready graphs and tables
• Raw Ct values and complete QC metrics
• Excel and PDF format deliverables

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if I only have one or two cases?

A: No problem! We have no minimum order requirements. We understand veterinary oncology cases come one at a time. Many of our veterinary clients submit individual cases as they arise rather than batching samples.

Q: Can you help me interpret results for my clients?

A: Absolutely! PhD scientist consultation is included with every panel. We’ll help you understand the data, its clinical implications, and how to discuss findings with pet owners. You’re welcome to call us anytime to discuss cases—direct scientist access is part of our service.

Q: Do you offer stat/rush service?

A: Yes, expedited analysis is available for urgent cases (2-3 day turnaround). Contact us for rush pricing and timeline. We understand clinical situations sometimes require fast results for treatment decisions.

Q: Do you work with veterinary diagnostic labs or only direct-to-vet?

A: We work with both! We partner with veterinary diagnostic labs as an outsourcing provider and also work directly with veterinary oncologists and general practices. Whatever arrangement works best for your workflow.

Getting Started: Three Easy Paths

Path 1: Schedule a Free Consultation

Best for: Veterinarians new to molecular diagnostics who want to discuss whether gene expression profiling is right for their practice

30-minute phone consultation with our PhD scientists. We’ll discuss your typical caseload and clinical questions, review relevant veterinary literature together, provide recommendations on which cancers and genes are most applicable to your practice, and answer all your questions about sample types, turnaround, and pricing. No obligation—just education and exploration.

To schedule: Call 512.308.1511 or email info@arqgenetics.com with “Veterinary Consultation” in subject line

Path 2: Submit a Case

Best for: Veterinarians with a current case where gene expression data would be valuable

Brief discussion of your case and clinical questions. We recommend appropriate genes or panel. Provide sample submission instructions. You send us FFPE slides, fresh tissue, or RNA. We handle everything and deliver results with interpretation in 5-7 days.

To start: Email info@arqgenetics.com with case details or call 512.308.1511

Path 3: Request Information Packet

Best for: Veterinarians who want written materials to review before engaging

What you receive:

• Complete sample submission guide with instructions and forms
• Detailed gene lists for pre-designed canine cancer panels
• Literature references supporting gene selection and clinical utility
• Pricing information for all services
• Example reports (de-identified)

To request: Email info@arqgenetics.com with “Veterinary Information Packet” in subject line

Data Delivery & Reporting

Your comprehensive veterinary qPCR report includes complete gene expression analysis, statistical testing, publication-ready graphs, and PhD scientist consultation for clinical interpretation.

Complete details about our reporting process, quality metrics, and technical specifications are available in our Sample Submission Guide.