Research

Feline IBD vs. EATL pilot Study

We are conducting a study on feline patients to evaluate non-invasively collected specimens and, with the support of AI, identify biomarkers that may help distinguish IBD from EATL.

A feline patient being examined for checkup

01.
Brief Summary

Currently Enrolling (Last Update: Aug 2025)

    There is an outstanding need for a diagnostic that can discriminate between feline inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL), and there is evidence to show that non-disease related specimens have biological signatures that help with this effort.1-7 This study aims to identify key biomarkers from specimens that can be collected via non-invasive methods that, with the support of AI, can inform the diagnosis of IBD versus EATL.

    To this end, the ImpriMed research team is seeking specimens from cats diagnosed by the current gold standard, histopathology, for one of these diseases. While our focus for lymphoma is on the EATL subtype, we can accept samples that are determined to be lymphoma but for which the subtype is unknown or inconclusive.

    References

    1. Kiupel M, Smedley RC, Pfent C, et al. Veterinary Pathology. 2011; 48(1): 212-222.
    2. Moore PF, Rodriguez-Bertos A, Kass PH. Veterinary Pathology. 2012; 49(4): 658-68.
    3. Jergens AE. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 2012; 14(7): 445-458.
    4. Castro-López J, Teles M, Fierro C, Allenspach K, Planellas M, Pastor J. Journal ofFeline Medicine and Surgery. 2018; 20(8): 759-766.
    5. Marsilio, S., Pilla, R., Sarawichitr, B. et al. Scientific Reports. 2019; 9: 19208.
    6. Rout ED, Burnett RC, Yoshimoto JA, Avery PR, Avery AC. Veterinary Clinical Pathology.2019; 48 Suppl 1: 45-58.
    7. Yamazaki J, Jelinek J, Yokoyama S, Takiguchi M. Research in Veterinary Science.2021; 140: 221-228.

    02.
    Benefits per case

    benefits to clinic

    Your participation will contribute to the research and identification of new biomarkers to help distinguish IBD from EATL and will strongly support the development of non-invasive approaches for feline inflammation and cancer diagnostics.

      For the first 40 patient samples received that come with a histopathological evaluation of IBD or lymphoma or once the histopathological confirmation is received, the provider will receive a $100 gift card.
      For every patient from whom an FNA from an affected lymph node is received, PARR results can be provided. From the FNA specimen, flow cytometry results may also be provided if sufficient cells are received.
      PARR and/or flow cytometry may be performed on the blood upon request but the diagnostic significance of these two assays from blood cells is not guaranteed.
      If patient samples received that have confirmed IBD or EATL, a $20 gift card will be given for requested follow up medical charts.

      03.
      Patient type

      We are requesting the samples from:

      Feline patients with confirmed or suspected IBD versus EATL

      04.
      Sample requirements

      For each patient, we request all of the following:

      Patient samples

      2 mL of peripheral blood
      Clean fecal sample or swab
      Optional: FNA from affected lymph node

      patient medical information

      Histology report confirming IBD or EATL
      Most recent blood chemistry results
      Follow up charts at 3 months and, if available, at 6 and/or 9 months

      05.
      Sample Submission

      If you have not already, please register for access to our Vet Portal by clicking here. To submit sample information, go to ‘Sample Submission’ > Feline Services, and select 'Feline IBD vs EATL Pilot Study'

      Please ensure all participating pet owners sign the consent form to allow us to use their cat’s sample for research. The results of this research study may be published or used for commercial purposes, but all identifying information for the pet or the client in any public documents will be deidentified to ensure confidentiality.

      Sign up Here

      Interested in enrolling patients into this study? To get started, fill out the form or contact research@imprimedicine.com and we will send you the study protocol and detailed sample submission/shipping information.

      An orange cat is being hugged by a pet owner