Evaluation of blood T-lymphocyte subpopulations involved in host cellular immunity in dogs with mammary cancer

Evaluation of leukocyte counts and neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio as predictors of local recurrence of feline injection site sarcoma after curative intent surgery

“…In the light of such considerations, the absence of a correlation between LC and both LR and OST in the sampled population is surprising; however, it may be hypothesized that the efficacy of the host immune response against cancer is more influenced by the subpopulations of lymphocytes than by the absolute lymphocyte count, as suggested by results of previous studies on dogs …”

“…On the other hand, T‐lymphocyte subsets are crucial in specific antitumor immunity, and lymphopenia has been correlated with a worse prognosis in human patients with solid tumours . As a consequence, a high NLR may reflect a less effective immune response against cancer, with a predominant neutrophilic response and relative lymphopenia, which promotes tumour growth and dissemination …”

“…46 As a consequence, a high NLR may reflect a less effective immune response against cancer, with a predominant neutrophilic response and relative lymphopenia, which promotes tumour growth and dissemination. 23,43,47 In the light of such considerations, the absence of a correlation between LC and both LR and OST in the sampled population is surprising; however, it may be hypothesized that the efficacy of the host immune response against cancer is more influenced by the subpopulations of lymphocytes than by the absolute lymphocyte count, as suggested by results of previous studies on dogs. 23,25,43 This report has several limitations, mainly related to its retrospec- The decision to include cats that received adjuvant chemotherapy was mainly dictated by the fact that, to date, there is no strong evidence that such treatment is effective against LR, and it would thus have been unlikely to influence this endpoint.…”

“…Recently, the veterinary literature has reflected growing interest in peripheral blood cell abnormalities as diagnostic and prognostic markers for both neoplastic and inflammatory conditions. A few papers have explored the prevalence of different leukocyte populations and T‐lymphocyte subsets in tumour‐bearing vs healthy dogs . Furthermore, leukocyte counts and ratios have been proposed as diagnostic and prognostic tools for dogs with lymphoma, osteosarcoma, mast cell tumours and STS .…”

“…A few papers have explored the prevalence of different leukocyte populations and T-lymphocyte subsets in tumour-bearing vs healthy dogs. [23][24][25][26] Furthermore, leukocyte counts and ratios have been proposed as diagnostic and prognostic tools for dogs with lymphoma, osteosarcoma, mast cell tumours and STS. [27][28][29][30][31] Yet, the prognostic impact of peripheral leukocyte counts and ratios, including NLR, has not been assessed in feline medicine.…”