Assessing Residual Cancer Cells in Aggressive T-Cell Lymphoma

THE PROBLEM: Dogs with aggressive T-cell lymphoma usually are treated with chemotherapy to minimize the disease and clinical symptoms. But even after the treatment, a few cancer cells can be found in their bodies, called minimal residual disease or MRD. These cells can be a cause of disease relapse and treatment failure. In people diagnosed with lymphoma, MRD can be used to evaluate what drugs are effective and to monitor the disease progression even before any clinical signs develop.   

THE PROJECT: In this study, researchers will develop a novel blood-based molecular test for detecting MRD in dogs with aggressive T-cell lymphoma. This test uses three genes related to this cancer (identified in the group’s earlier research) to see if some cancer remains in the dog's body during treatment. In earlier studies, the team showed they could detect one of these genes even if few cancer cells existed in millions of normal cells. In this study, the team aims to improve the test by simultaneously looking at two additional genes (a total of three). Researchers will verify the blood-testing dogs with aggressive T-cell lymphoma undergoing treatment. 

POTENTIAL IMPACT: if successful, a new way to monitor aggressive T-cell lymphoma will improve the treatment and clinical management of dogs with this devastating cancer.