Background/aim: The soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) serve as a valuable biomarker for tumors in human patients, as its levels increase during the activation of T lymphocytes in clinical states such as inflammation, infection, and tumor. This study aimed to demonstrate that sIL-2R levels can be also elevated in dogs with tumors and evaluate its applicability as a diagnostic and prognostic factor in canine cancer patients.
Patients and methods: Serum was collected from 6 healthy dogs and 34 dogs with solid tumors. The concentration of sIL-2R was measured using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.
Results: The median sIL-2R concentration was significantly higher in dogs with solid masses than in healthy dogs (117.3 vs 68.33 pg/ml, p = 0.016). The highest median sIL-2R concentration was found in dogs with malignant tumors, followed by those with benign tumors, and healthy dogs (119.6 vs 93.74 vs 68.33 pg/ml, respectively). In dogs with malignant tumors, the mortality rate was significantly higher in the group with high sIL-2R levels than in the group with low sIL-2R levels. Dogs with solid tumors, particularly those with malignant tumors, had higher concentrations of sIL-2R than healthy dogs. Among dogs with malignant tumors, a correlation between sIL-2R concentration and mortality rate was confirmed.
Conclusion: Serum sIL-2R levels may be used to detect malignant tumors and serve as a prognostic factor in dogs with malignant tumors.
Keywords: dog; malignant tumour; soluble interlukin‐2 receptor; tumour biomarker.
© 2024 The Author(s). Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.