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Summary of dissertation

Pheochromocytomas are adrenal tumors that occur in both dogs and humans. They often produce an excess of stress hormones such as epinephrine and norepinephrine, which can cause serious complications, including high blood pressure and arrhythmias. Diagnosis is challenging because clinical signs are often vague, and reference intervals for diagnostic tests have so far been lacking. How these tumors arise in dogs remains largely unknown, and apart from surgery no effective treatments are available. In addition, some dogs develop recurrence or metastases after surgery, making the prognosis uncertain.

This PhD project explored how pheochromocytomas develop in dogs, laying the foundation for better understanding of the disease and future therapeutic developments. Efforts were also made to improve diagnosis and prognosis. Reference intervals were established for metanephrines, stress hormone metabolites, to provide a more reliable diagnostic tool. The genetic and metabolomic profiles of these tumors were mapped to better understand their biology and to identify potential treatment targets. In addition, a histopathological score was developed that predicts survival in dogs after surgery.

Finally, a new in vitro model was created: pheochromocytoma organoids, the first of their kind worldwide. These three-dimensional mini-tumors are grown in the laboratory and represent an initial step toward models that reflect the original tumor and may one day serve to predict how tumors respond to different drugs.

This research provides new insights into the development, diagnosis, and prognosis of canine pheochromocytomas, and introduces an organoid model that could also advance research and treatment of these rare tumors in humans.

If a candidate gives a layman's talk, the live stream will start 15 minutes earlier.