Open AccessFlow Cytometric Characterization and Clinical Outcome of CD 4+ T‐Cell Lymphoma in Dogs: 67 Cases
Author(s) -
Avery P.R.,
Burton J.,
Bromberek J.L.,
Seelig D.M.,
Elmslie R.,
Correa S.,
Ehrhart E.J.,
Morley P.S.,
Avery A.C.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of veterinary internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1939-1676
pISSN - 0891-6640
DOI - 10.1111/jvim.12304
Subject(s) - medicine , flow cytometry , lymphoma , immunophenotyping , canine lymphoma , t cell lymphoma , pathology , immunology , gastroenterology
Background Canine T‐cell lymphoma ( TCL ) is conventionally considered an aggressive disease, but some forms are histologically and clinically indolent. CD 4 TCL is reported to be the most common subtype of TCL . We assessed flow cytometric characteristics, histologic features when available, and clinical outcomes of CD 4+ TCL to determine if flow cytometry can be used to subclassify this group of lymphomas. Objective To test the hypothesis that canine CD4+ T‐cell lymphoma ( TCL ) is a homogeneous group of lymphomas with an aggressive clinical course. Animals Sixty‐seven dogs diagnosed with CD 4+ TCL by flow cytometry and treated at 1 of 3 oncology referral clinics. Methods Retrospective multivariable analysis of outcome in canine CD 4+ TCL including patient characteristics, treatment, and flow cytometric features. Results The majority of CD 4+ TCL were CD 45+, expressed low class II MHC , and exhibited an aggressive clinical course independent of treatment regimen (median survival, 159 days). Histologically, CD 4+ TCL were classified as lymphoblastic or peripheral T cell. Size of the neoplastic lymphocytes had a modest effect on both PFI and survival in this group. A small number of CD 4+ TCL were CD 45− and class II MHC high, and exhibited an apparently more indolent clinical course (median survival not yet reached). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Although the majority of CD 4+ TCL in dogs had uniform clinical and flow cytometric features and an aggressive clinical course, a subset had a unique immunophenotype that predicts significantly longer survival. This finding strengthens the utility of flow cytometry to aid in the stratification of canine lymphoma.