Serum C-reactive protein concentrations in dogs with multicentric lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration is high in dogs with multicentric lymphoma, whether CRP concentration changes in response to chemotherapy, and whether CRP concentration can be used as a marker for relapse in dogs with multicentric lymphoma.


METHODS
Cohort study.


METHODS
20 dogs with multicentric lymphoma and 8 healthy control dogs undergoing chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (CVP) or with vincristine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and L-asparaginase (VCMA) and 20 other healthy dogs.


METHODS
Serum CRP concentration was measured weekly during the first month of chemotherapy and then at 3-week intervals until relapse in dogs with multicentric lymphoma, weekly for 16 weeks in healthy dogs undergoing chemotherapy, and once in the healthy dogs not undergoing chemotherapy.


RESULTS
For both groups of dogs with lymphoma, mean serum CRP concentration during week 1 (prior to treatment) was significantly higher than mean concentrations following induction of chemotherapy and at the time of relapse. Mean serum CRP concentration in the healthy dogs undergoing chemotherapy was not significantly different at any time from mean concentration for the healthy dogs not undergoing chemotherapy. No significant differences were observed between dogs treated with CVP and dogs treated with VCMA.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that serum CRP concentration is high in dogs with multicentric lymphoma but that serum CRP concentration is not a useful marker for relapse and that chemotherapy itself does not affect serum CRP concentration.
Merlo
Alexandre
A
School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Rezende
Bárbara Cristina Gagliano
BC
Franchini
Maria Luisa
ML
Simões
Denise Maria Nunes
DM
Lucas
Sílvia Regina Ricci
SR
D000818:Animals; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D012074:Remission Induction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002097:C-Reactive Protein