Chemotherapy for the treatment of intracranial glioma in dogs

Abstract

Gliomas are the second most common primary brain tumor in dogs and although they are associated with a poor prognosis, limited data are available relating to the efficacy of standard therapeutic options such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Additionally, canine glioma is gaining relevance as a naturally occurring animal model that recapitulates human disease with fidelity. There is an intense comparative research drive to test new therapeutic approaches in dogs and assess if results translate efficiently into human clinical trials to improve the poor outcomes associated with the current standard-of-care. However, the paucity of data and controversy around most appropriate treatment for intracranial gliomas in dogs make comparisons among modalities troublesome. To further inform therapeutic decision-making, client discussion, and future studies evaluating treatment responses, the outcomes of 127 dogs with intracranial glioma, either presumed (n = 49) or histologically confirmed (n = 78), that received chemotherapy as leading or adjuvant treatment are reviewed here. This review highlights the status of current chemotherapeutic approaches to intracranial gliomas in dogs, most notably temozolomide and lomustine; areas of novel treatment currently in development, and difficulties to consensuate and compare different study observations. Finally, suggestions are made to facilitate evidence-based research in the field of canine glioma therapeutics.

Nanoparticles for efficient drug delivery and drug resistance in glioma: New perspectives

“…The choice of chemotherapeutic agent for glioma should be based on a combination of the patient's unique situation and the physician's experience. 85 Calmustine is an intravenous alkylating agent commonly used to treat low‐grade gliomas. It destroys tumor cell DNA and inhibits tumor cell division and growth.…”

“…It inhibits the division and growth of tumor cells by destroying their DNA. 85 Bleomycin is an antitumor agent that can be used to treat low‐grade gliomas. It can damage the DNA of tumor cells, thereby inhibiting their division and growth.…”

Common Neurologic Diseases in Geriatric Dogs

“…The most commonly used chemotherapeutics for brain tumours are the alkylating agents lomustine (CCNU), carmustine (BCNU), and temozolomide (TMZ) for gliomas, and the antimetabolite hydroxyurea in the case of meningiomas [ 6 , 11 , 13 , 22 , 28 ]. Despite the weak evidence to support their efficacy in the treatment of canine intracranial neoplasia, it seems as though most reported chemotherapeutics, either alone or combined with other anticancer therapies, could have some beneficial effect on survival [ 12 , 13 , 29 , 30 ]. Surgery: most published information with meaningful case numbers is related to more easily accessible canine meningiomas [ 11 , 13 , 20 ].…”