Detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) in canine lymphoma

The objectives of this study were to detect clonal rearrangements of antigen receptor genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and minimal residual disease (MRD) in clinical complete remission of chemotherapeutic-treated dogs. For PCR assays to determine clonality for antigen receptor rearrangement genes and MRD from cytologic and peripheral blood samples of 14 dogs with lymphoma either before chemotherapy and during remission, clonality was detected in 13 of the lymphomas before treatment. MRD was demonstrated in seven dogs with lymphoma during remission. Detection of MRD during remission in canine lymphoma using PCR technique is considered as a useful tool for prognosis and monitoring relapsing disease.