Detection of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha in dogs with lymphoma *

Tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐ α ) production by malignant lymphoblasts has been identified in vitro and in vivo in mice and humans, respectively. The goals of this study were (1) to evaluate a novel single‐sample TNF‐ α assay and (2) to determine whether TNF‐ α is increased in dogs with lymphoma prior to and following treatment. Canine TNF‐ α was analysed concurrently using the novel Siemens Immulite ® single‐sample automated ELISA and the previously validated Quantikine ® standard ELISA. Serum from dogs with lymphoma and from breed‐, age‐ and gender‐matched control dogs was evaluated at two time points. Three of 25 (12%) dogs with lymphoma had detectable TNF‐ α at diagnosis, whereas none had detectable TNF‐ α following complete or partial remission. TNF‐ α was not detectable in control dogs. Despite 91% homology between human and canine TNF‐ α , the Immulite ® automated ELISA failed to detect canine TNF‐ α . Serum TNF‐ α appears to have limited value as a tumour marker in dogs with lymphoma.