Serum concentrations of IL-31 in dogs with nonpruritic mast cell tumours and lymphomas

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate serum IL-31 levels in dogs with lymphoma and mast cell tumours (MCT) without pruritus.

Hypothesis/objectives To determine if IL-31 plays a role in tumor pathogenesis and if IL-31 could be a biologic marker for disease progression.

Animals A total of 36 dogs with multicentric lymphoma (14), MCT (15) and cutaneous lymphoma (7) were included in the study.

Methods In this clinical trial dogs were assigned to 3 different groups. Group 1 consisted of patients with multicentric lymphoma, which were diagnosed by cytology, histopathology and clonality investigations. Thoracic radiographs, ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity, and fine-needle aspirates from liver and spleen were used to determine the lymphoma stage. Patients with MCT, diagnosed by cytology and histopathology were included in group 2. Patients with cutaneous lymphoma in group 3 were diagnosed by cytology and histopathology investigations. Serum was frozen at –80°C prior to measuring the concentration of IL-31 via a Simoa^® ultra-sensitive, fully automated 2-step immunoassay (Quanterix, Lexington, MA).

Results Serum levels of IL-31 regardless of the disease and its staging, was within the normal range (between 0 and 1.8 pg/ml) in all patients.

Conclusion and clinical importance IL-31 is unlikely involved in the pathogenesis of MCT or lymphoma without pruritus.