Efficacy and adverse events of continuous l‐asparaginase administration for canine large cell lymphoma of presumed gastrointestinal origin

Abstract

We examined the efficacy and adverse events of continuous l‐asparaginase administration in dogs with large cell lymphoma of presumedgastrointestinal (GI) origin. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of dogs with large cell lymphoma of presumed GI origin treated with continuous l‐asparaginase administration from 2009 to 2018. We collected information on the signalment, lesion site, complete blood count, serum biochemical profile, diagnostic imaging findings, cytological and histopathological findings, immunophenotype, l‐asparaginase administration frequency, treatment response, adverse events, rescue protocol, and patient outcomes. Clinical outcomes were assessed using medical records or by contacting the owner or referring veterinarian. Thirty‐two dogs with large cell lymphoma of presumed GI origin received weekly l‐asparaginase administration. The median number of l‐asparaginase injections was seven (range: 1–30). Although two of the 32 dogs had GI toxicity of grade 3 or higher, none developed a hypersensitivity reaction. The response rate based on ultrasonographic findings was 18/32 (56%) and that based on clinical signs was 30/32 (94%). The median overall progression‐free survival was 50 days (range: 2–214 days), and median overall survival was 147 days (range: 2–482 days). Adverse events associated with continuous l‐asparaginase administration were rare. Clinical signs at diagnosis improved in most cases. Based on these results, continuous l‐asparaginase administration appears to be a reasonable treatment option for dogs with large cell lymphoma of presumed GI origin.

Large granular lymphocyte lymphoma in 65 dogs (2005–2023)

“…Most (93.8%) dogs in our study were substage b at diagnosis, reflecting the aggressive biologic behaviour of LGLL, with extra‐nodal forms and T‐cell immunophenotype predominating. It is well known that, compared to multicentric B‐cell lymphoma, dogs with multicentric T‐cell lymphoma or extranodal forms are more likely to present clinically unwell 32–34 . Hypercalcaemia often contributes to clinical signs in dogs with T‐cell lymphoma but, given the low incidence of ionised hypercalcaemia in our study (2.3%) this is less likely to contribute to the high proportion of dogs presenting with clinical signs 7 .…”

“…clinically unwell. [32][33][34] Hypercalcaemia often contributes to clinical signs in dogs with T-cell lymphoma but, given the low incidence of ionised hypercalcaemia in our study (2.3%) this is less likely to contribute to the high proportion of dogs presenting with clinical signs. 7 Substage was not prognostic, possibly due to low statistical power because of the low number of cases (6.2%) presenting clinically well.…”

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of Mott cell lymphoma in nine miniature dachshunds

“…In our study, the median OS of miniature dachshunds diagnosed with large cell and small cell alimentary lymphoma was 57 and 1440 days, respectively. Small cell gastrointestinal lymphoma is generally considered an indolent disease (Couto et al., 2018 ; Lane et al., 2018 ), whereas large cell gastrointestinal lymphoma has a grave prognosis with short median OS of 13, 62, 77 and 147 days (Frank et al., 2007 ; Nakagawa et al., 2021 ; Rassnick et al., 2009 ; Sogame et al., 2018 ). In comparison, miniature dachshunds with alimentary MCL in the present study had a better prognosis with a median OS of 240 days.…”

“…Another possible reason for the favourable prognosis of MCL could be responsiveness to treatment. The response rate to systemic chemotherapy for canine large cell gastrointestinal lymphoma was reported to be 56% (Nakagawa et al., 2021 ; Rassnick et al., 2009 ). In contrast, a response rate as high as 78% was obtained for the alimentary MCL in this study.…”

“…However, 'differentiation' is known as a physiological process in which stem or progenitor cells undergo acquisition of specialised phenotypes and functions in each be 60-77 days (Rassnick et al, 2009;Sogame et al, 2018). On the other hand, the median PFS and OS of dogs treated with continuous Lasparaginase administration were 50 days and 147 days, respectively, which were not inferior to those with COP/CHOP protocol (Nakagawa et al, 2021). Therefore, it is assumed that the significant difference in OS between the miniature dachshunds with MCL and large cell alimentary lymphoma was not solely due to protocol selection.…”