Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Lung damage risks from lomustine and similar cancer drugs in pets
By S. Meervenne et al.·Published in Vlaams dierengeneeskundig tijdschrift·2008·View original on Semantic Scholar →
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Original publication title: Comparative aspects of pulmonary toxicity induced by cytotoxic agents with emphasis on lomustine, and a veterinary case report
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog developed breathing problems likely due to long-term treatment with the chemotherapy drug lomustine, which is used for cancer. This case highlights the risk of lung damage, specifically pulmonary fibrosis, that can occur with this medication. The dog’s condition was linked to factors like the total amount of drug given and possibly its age. It's important for pet owners and veterinarians to be aware of these potential side effects when using lomustine for cancer treatment.
Abstract
In veterinary oncology the use of the nitrosourea compound lomustine is increasing. veterinary oncologists need to be aware of the pulmonary toxicity of this drug. Because of the lack of veterinary publications on this subject, the incidence and pathophysiology in human cancer patients of pulmonary toxicity induced by cytotoxic agents in general and by nitrosoureas in particular are discussed. Three clinical syndromes can be recognized, the most devastating of which is interstitial pneumonitis resulting in pulmonary fibrosis. Disturbances in the homeostatic mechanisms of the oxidant/antioxidant-, immunologic-, matrix repair-, proteolytic-, and central nervous systems are some of the major mechanisms of pulmonary injury in human medicine. Risk factors such as cumulative dose, age, radiation, oxygen administration and multi-drug regimens are recognized. For the first time in veterinarv medicine, a case report of a dog with pulmonary fibrosis, probably caused by chronic lomustine administration, is presented.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Semantic Scholar: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/6ca6332731a7d4fadecad593cd09e80d436b2149