Phenotyping for canine lymphoma

Phenotyping has proven to be a useful tool when it comes to canine lymphoma patients. During his upcoming lecture at Fetch Kansas City, Craig Clifford, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology), explains the importance of phenotyping for suspected canine lymphoma patients, and how general practitioners can utilize this testing before they refer patients to a veterinary oncologist.

Registration for our Fetch Kansas City conference is still open! Sign up here today to be able to hear more on phenotyping canine lymphoma from Clifford as well as attend sessions from our other amazing faculty.

Below is a partial transcript.

Craig A Clifford DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology): The vast majority of oncologists now will actually use a T cell (T) specific protocol or a B cell (B) specific protocol, and where that comes from was, for many years, we had our one size fits all. Protocol, B's did well, T's didn't, and it was the definition of insanity. We kept doing the same thing, hoping for a better outcome for T. And finally, over the course of time, we've learned that there are certain drugs that do better for T and certain drugs do better for B. So we go ahead and we do.

That brings up the other question is, like, how should we run the test, and who should do it. And to me, in my area in Pennsylvania, I have my primary cares run the test because it's something that they can do. It's not a specialist test, it's a veterinary test. For me, having that information at the consult already condenses down my console, so I can be very specific as to how the dog is going to do and what protocol we're using. So I actually encourage my primary cares in the area to be doing phenotyping within their practice, not having me do it.