Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Outlook and survival factors for dogs with B-cell chronic lymphocytic
By Rout, Emily D et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2021·Department of Microbiology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical outcome and prognostic factors in dogs with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A retrospective study.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 121 dogs diagnosed with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (BCLL) showed a wide range of survival times. Boxers had a median survival of just 178 days, while other breeds lived longer, averaging 423 days. Dogs with a high percentage of certain cancerous cells (over 40% Ki67-expressing B-cells) also had shorter survival times, averaging only 173 days. The study found that dogs with high lymphocyte counts or showing clinical signs when diagnosed tended to have a more aggressive form of the disease. Treatment options varied, but understanding these factors can help veterinarians provide better care and prognosis for affected dogs.
People also search for: dog leukemia prognosis · Boxer dog cancer survival · B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatment · high lymphocyte count in dogs · dog cancer symptoms
Abstract
BACKGROUND: B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (BCLL) in dogs generally is considered an indolent disease, but previous studies indicate a wide range in survival times. OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that BCLL has a heterogeneous clinical course, similar to chronic lymphocytic leukemia in humans. We aimed to assess presentation and outcome in dogs with BCLL and evaluate the prognostic relevance of clinical and flow cytometric factors. ANIMALS: One hundred and twenty-one dogs with BCLL diagnosed by flow cytometry. Three breed groups were represented: small breed dogs (n = 55) because of increased risk of BCLL; Boxers (n = 33) because of preferential use of unmutated immunoglobulin genes; and other breeds (n = 33). METHODS: Retrospective study reviewing signalment, clinicopathologic data, physical examination findings, treatment, and survival of dogs with BCLL. Cellular proliferation, determined by the percentage of Ki67-expressing CD21+ B-cells by flow cytometry, was measured in 39 of 121 cases. Clinical and laboratory variables were evaluated for association with survival. RESULTS: The median survival time (MST) for all cases was 300 days (range, 1-1644 days). Boxers had significantly shorter survival (MST, 178 days) than non-Boxers (MST, 423 days; P < .0001), and no significant survival difference was found between small breeds and other non-Boxer breeds. Cases with high Ki67 (>40% Ki67-expressing B-cells) had significantly shorter survival (MST, 173 days) than did cases with <40% Ki67 (MST undetermined; P = .03), regardless of breed. Cases with a high lymphocyte count (>60 000 lymphocytes/μL) or clinical signs at presentation had significantly shorter survival. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia had a variable clinical course and Boxer dogs and cases with high Ki67 had more aggressive disease.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33998726/