Canine Immune System

The canine immune system is a complex network that protects dogs against infections, clears abnormal cells, and maintains tissue homeostasis. It consists of physical barriers (e.g., skin), cellular components (including white blood cells such as lymphocytes—T cells, B cells, natural killer cells, neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages), and organs such as the thymus, bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes, and components of the lymphatic system. Its molecular arsenal includes antibodies, cytokines, and complement proteins. The immune system is pivotal in defending against pathogens, surveilling for cancer cells, and is involved in disease manifestations ranging from allergy to autoimmunity and neoplasia. In modern canine medicine, research increasingly focuses on manipulating elements of the immune system for treatments, especially cancer immunotherapy, but no drugs target the system as a singular entity.

Other names

Dog immune systemCanine immunityImmunological system of dog

Not applicable to the immune system as a whole. For drugs targeting immune components: immunosuppression, immune stimulation, immune checkpoint inhibition, adoptive cell transfer, cancer vaccines, etc.