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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Intern Med / Retrospective evaluation of clinical outcome after chemother...
Journal of veterinary internal medicine2019; 33(2); 953-960; doi: 10.1111/jvim.15411

Retrospective evaluation of clinical outcome after chemotherapy for lymphoma in 15 equids (1991-2017).

Abstract: Prognosis associated with lymphoma in horses is poorly characterized, and treatment is often palliative. Long-term outcome after chemotherapy for horses with lymphoma is not well documented. Objective: To report long-term outcome of horses with lymphoma treated with chemotherapy. Methods: Fifteen equids. Methods: Retrospective case series. Medical record search and call for cases on the ACVIM listserv for horses treated with chemotherapy for lymphoma. Results: Fifteen cases with adequate data were identified. Complete remission was achieved in 5 horses (33.3%), partial response was achieved in 9 equids (60%), and stable disease was achieved in 1 horse. Overall response rate was 93.3% (14/15). Overall median survival time was 8 months (range, 1-46 months). Nine horses experienced a total of 14 adverse effects attributable to chemotherapy. Adverse effects were graded according to the Veterinary Cooperative Oncology Group common terminology criteria for adverse events grading system (grade 1 alopecia, n = 2; grade 1 neutropenia, n = 2; grade 1 lymphopenia, n = 3; grade 1 lethargy, n = 1; grade 2 neurotoxicity, n = 1; grade 2 colic, n = 1; grade 1 hypersensitivity, n = 1; grade 2 hypersensitivity, n = 2; grade 5 hypersensitivity, n = 1). Higher grade adverse effects most commonly were associated with doxorubicin administration (n = 4), including 1 horse that died 18 hours post-administration. Conclusions: Chemotherapy can be used successfully for treatment of horses with lymphoma. Adverse effects, most commonly mild, occurred in approximately two-thirds of treated horses.
© 2019 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2019-01-12 PubMed ID: 30636061PubMed Central: PMC6430950DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15411Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research seeks to understand the long-term outcomes of horses diagnosed with lymphoma and treated with chemotherapy. The retrospective study uses data from 15 horses, finding that most responded to treatment with varying degrees of efficacy, and although there were some adverse effects, chemotherapy can potentially be a successful treatment technique for equine lymphoma.

Research Methods

  • The researchers conducted a retrospective study, meaning they used existing data rather than collecting new data.
  • The data was found through a medical record search and from cases reported on the ACVIM listserv – an online community for veterinary internal medicine specialists.
  • The study was specifically looking at horses that were treated with chemotherapy for lymphoma.

Study Findings

  • Out of 15 cases identified for the study, 5 horses (33.3%) achieved complete remission, 9 (60%) had a partial response, and the disease remained stable in one horse.
  • The overall response rate for chemotherapy treatment was 93.3% (14 out of 15).
  • The median survival time post-diagnosis and treatment was reported at 8 months (ranging from 1-46 months).

Adverse Effects of Chemotherapy

  • The study also documented the kind and severity of adverse effects the horses experienced as a result of chemotherapy, using a grading system developed by the Veterinary Cooperative Oncology Group.
  • A total of 14 adverse effects were noted among 9 horses, ranging in severity from alopecia (hair loss) and neutropenia (low neutrophil count) to neurotoxicity and hypersensitivity.
  • The more severe adverse effects were most commonly linked to the administration of the chemotherapy drug Doxorubicin, including one horse that died 18 hours after the treatment.

Conclusion

  • The researchers concluded that chemotherapy can be a successful form of treatment for horses with lymphoma, with a majority of the horses studied showing either partial or complete remission of the disease.
  • Approximately two-thirds of the treated horses experienced adverse effects of varying severity but the study suggests these are mostly mild.
  • While the study provides some insight into the potential benefits of chemotherapy for horses with lymphoma, further research is advised to continue to understand the potential risks and efficacy.

Cite This Article

APA
Luethy D, Frimberger AE, Bedenice D, Byrne BS, Groover ES, Gardner RB, Lewis T, MacDonald VS, Proctor-Brown L, Tomlinson JE, Rassnick KM, Johnson AL. (2019). Retrospective evaluation of clinical outcome after chemotherapy for lymphoma in 15 equids (1991-2017). J Vet Intern Med, 33(2), 953-960. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15411

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 33
Issue: 2
Pages: 953-960

Researcher Affiliations

Luethy, Daniela
  • Department of Clinical Studies-New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
Frimberger, Angela E
  • Veterinary Oncology Consultants, Wauchope, New South Wales, Australia.
Bedenice, Daniela
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts.
Byrne, Barbara S
  • Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, California.
Groover, Erin S
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, Alabama.
Gardner, Rachel B
  • B.W. Furlong & Associates, Oldwick, New Jersey.
Lewis, Trisha
  • Lewis Veterinary Services, Maple Park, Illinois.
MacDonald, Valerie S
  • University of Saskatchewan Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Proctor-Brown, Lauren
  • Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York.
Tomlinson, Joy E
  • Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York.
Rassnick, Kenneth M
  • Veterinary Medical Center of New York, East Syracuse, New York.
Johnson, Amy L
  • Department of Clinical Studies-New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Equidae
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
  • Horses
  • Lymphoma / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma / veterinary
  • Male
  • Remission Induction
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome

Conflict of Interest Statement

Authors declare no conflict of interest.

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