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Equine veterinary journal2023; doi: 10.1111/evj.13935

Treatment of equine sarcoids: A systematic review.

Abstract: The sarcoid is the most common equine cutaneous neoplasm. Evidence-based treatment of this condition is often lacking, and selection of treatment modality based on clinical experience or anecdotal evidence. Objective: To assess the quality of the currently available best evidence regarding the treatment of the equine sarcoid. Methods: Systematic review. Methods: In compliance with PRISMA guidelines, literature searches were performed in PUBMED, Web of Science, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE (Ovid) and Scopus in April 2021. Included papers were required to describe an interventional study examining sarcoid treatment strategy, of level 4 evidence or greater. The case definition required confirmation of at least some included lesions on histopathology, and a minimum of 6 months of follow-up was required on treated cases. Studies were assessed by two independent reviewers (KO, CD). Data extraction was performed manually, followed by risk of bias assessment. Methodological quality was assessed using the GRADE system. Results: In total, 10 studies were included in the review. Case definition was confirmed via histopathology in all included lesions in 60% of papers. Time to follow-up was variably reported. Overall risk of bias ranged from 'some concerns' to 'critical'. Reported sarcoid regression rate ranged from 28% to 100% on an individual sarcoid level, and 9%-100% on a whole horse level. Transient local inflammation was reported following most treatment strategies, with further adverse events reported infrequently. Conclusions: Review methodology excluded a large proportion of available literature regarding the equine sarcoid. Significant heterogeneity between included studies prevented quantitative synthesis and most included papers were at significant risk of bias, indirectness, and imprecision. Conclusions: There is insufficient evidence currently available to recommend one sarcoid treatment over another. There is an urgent need for sufficiently powered, randomised, placebo-controlled trials in order to allow more definitive comparison of the efficacy of different treatment strategies.
© 2023 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2023-03-14 PubMed ID: 36917551DOI: 10.1111/evj.13935Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 article is a systematic review of treatment options for equine sarcoids, a common horse skin tumor. The article identifies a lack of high-quality evidence for treatment selection and concludes there isn’t enough evidence to recommend one treatment over another.

Research Objective

  • The main objective of this research was to assess the quality of current best evidence regarding equine sarcoid treatment. Given the prevalence of this kind of tumor in horses, understanding the optimal methods of treatment is crucial to improving equine health. The researchers hope to contribute to the body of knowledge surrounding this condition by critically evaluating existing research in the field.

Research Methodology

  • A systematic review of literature was carried out following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. These guidelines provide a framework for conducting and reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses in scientific research.
  • Multiple academic databases (PUBMED, Web of Science, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE (Ovid), and Scopus) were combed through for pertinent studies in April 2021.
  • To qualify for inclusion, the papers needed to detail an intervention study on sarcoid treatment with evidence level 4 or higher. This means that the studies included had to have a robust methodology to allow meaningful analysis of the treatment strategy proposed.
  • The authors also required the studies to provide a minimum of 6 months of follow-up on treated cases and a confirmed case definition through histopathology, a microscopic examination of tissue.
  • Two independent reviewers assessed all the studies. The process involved manual data extraction followed by a risk of bias assessment. The researchers used the GRADE system, an approach to rating the certainty of evidence.

Research Findings

  • A total of 10 studies were included in this review. Histopathology confirmed 60% of the lesions.
  • Time to follow-up varied across studies. Sarcoid regression rates, which indicate the effectiveness of the treatment, ranged between 28%-100% on a sarcoid level, and 9%-100% on a horse level.
  • Most treatment strategies resulted in some local inflammation, with other adverse events infrequently noted.
  • The studies’ overall bias risk ranged from ‘some concerns’ to ‘critical’.

Conclusions

  • The methodology of the review excluded a substantial portion of literature about equine sarcoid.
  • There was a significant heterogeneity (variability) in the included studies, which hindered quantitative synthesis.
  • The authors concluded that there is insufficient evidence currently available to endorse a specific sarcoid treatment over others.
  • What’s urgently needed are sufficiently powered, randomised, placebo-controlled trials to steer future comparison of distinct therapy strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Offer KS, Dixon CE, Sutton DGM. (2023). Treatment of equine sarcoids: A systematic review. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13935

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Offer, Katie S
  • School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Dixon, Claire E
  • Tufts Equine Center at the Hospital for Large Animals, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts, USA.
Sutton, David G M
  • School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.

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Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
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