Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Blood markers linked to skin lymphoma in dogs with mycosis fungoides
By Chimura, Naoki et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2013·The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Japan·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Transcription profile of chemokine receptors, cytokines and cytotoxic markers in peripheral blood of dogs with epitheliotropic cutaneous lymphoma.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of ten dogs diagnosed with a type of skin cancer called mycosis fungoides (MF) showed lower levels of certain immune cells in their blood compared to healthy dogs. These immune cells, which usually help target skin lesions, were likely trapped in the affected skin areas instead of circulating in the blood. This finding suggests that the immune response in dogs with MF may be compromised, as fewer skin-targeting immune cells were available in their bloodstream. Understanding this could help veterinarians develop better treatment strategies for dogs suffering from this condition.
People also search for: dog skin cancer symptoms · mycosis fungoides in dogs · immune cells in dog cancer treatment
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common form of canine epitheliotropic cutaneous lymphoma, which is characterized by the accumulation of neoplastic CD8(+) T cells. Given that multifocal skin lesions are commonly seen in MF, neoplastic lymphocytes may actively migrate into the blood circulation. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Cytotoxic T cells with a skin-homing phenotype could be increased in the blood circulation of dogs with MF. ANIMALS: Ten dogs with MF and 10 age-matched healthy dogs were included. METHODS: The transcription levels of chemokine receptors, cytokines and cytotoxic markers in peripheral blood of dogs with MF were quantified by real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: The dogs with MF had lower transcription levels of chemokine receptors associated with skin homing (CCR4), epitheliotropism (CXCR3), lymph node homing (CCR7), a type-1 cytokine (LT-α) and cytotoxic markers (perforin and granzyme B) in the circulation than healthy control dogs (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The present results suggest that the number of peripheral cytotoxic T cells with a skin-homing phenotype could be decreased in the peripheral blood of dogs with MF, which might be due to the sequestration of cytotoxic T cells in the lesional skin.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24118305/