The article “Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in a dog with acute large granular lymphocytic leukemia”1 describes successful (ie, full donor chimerism approximately 2 weeks after transplantation and survival for > 2 years) allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in a 3-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in which a clinical diagnosis of acute large granular lymphocytic (LGL) leukemia had been made. At the time of case management, the authors made a diagnosis of acute LGL leukemia on the basis of clinical signs, initial CBC results (ie, WBC count of 24,200 WBCs/μL, consisting of 23% neutrophils, 12% lymphocytes, 2% monocytes, 1% eosinophils, and 62% unclassified, large, mononuclear cells with lightly vacuolated cytoplasm, a large nucleus, lacy chromatin, and a large indistinct nucleolus), and response to induction chemotherapy.
In retrospect and following a full review of the medical record, it appears that a definitive diagnosis could not be reached in this case. Therefore, the conclusions that this case provides evidence that “allogeneic HCT is a realistic treatment option for dogs with acute leukemia,” that the report documents the first use of allogeneic HCT “for the treatment of a client-owned dog with acute LGL leukemia,” and that the report suggests that “use of allogeneic HCT to treat acute leukemias in dogs will provide a considerable clinical benefit over chemotherapy alone” are retracted by agreement of the editors, authors, and university. The conclusion that allogeneic HCT may be a feasible treatment in dogs remains unchanged.
1. Suter SE, Hamilton MJ, Sullivan EW, Venkataraman GM. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in a dog with acute large granular lymphocytic leukemia. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2015; 246: 994–997.
