Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Stem cell therapy helped a Shih Tzu dog with steroid-resistant
By Han, Sei-Myoung et al.·Published in BMC veterinary research·2015·Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, South Korea·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: CTLA4 overexpressing adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy in a dog with steroid-refractory pemphigus foliaceus.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old Shih Tzu was suffering from severe itching and loss of appetite due to a skin disease called pemphigus foliaceus, which didn't respond to standard steroid treatments. After trying various medications without success, the vet used a new therapy involving special stem cells that help regulate the immune system. Over 20 months, the dog received these stem cells 21 times, while gradually reducing the steroid medication. The dog's skin improved significantly, and he was able to manage his condition with a lower dose of steroids for a year without any relapse.
People also search for: Shih Tzu skin problems · pemphigus foliaceus treatment · dog itching and loss of appetite · stem cell therapy for dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Canine pemphigus foliaceus is an autoimmune antibody-mediated skin disease characterized by acantholysis. The objective of this case report is to present the successful management of steroid refractory pemphigus foliaceus with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4)-overexpressing adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells (ATMSCs). CASE PRESENTATION: A 10-year-old, 12.3-kg, castrated male Shih Tzu presented with severe pruritus and anorexia. The diagnosis of pemphigus foliaceus was made based on its history, physical examination, and histopathology results of a skin biopsy. Treatment with prednisolone and combination therapy of other immunosuppressive drugs had failed; therefore, immunosuppressive gene, CTLA4 overexpressing ATMSCs (CTLA4-ATMSCs) and/or naive ATMSCs administration was performed with the consent of the owner. ATMSCs were administered 21 times over a period of 20 months with intervals of 2 to 8 week. Prednisolone was gradually tapered concurrently and no relapse of the clinical signs was observed. After the termination of CTLA4-ATMSCs and/or naive ATMSCs treatment, the skin lesions had improved and could be managed with a low dose of prednisolone for 12 months. CONCLUSION: CTLA4-ATMSCs or naive ATMSCs transplantation may be beneficial as adjunctive therapy to initiate and maintain the remission of skin lesions caused by pemphigus foliaceus in veterinary medicine.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25889154/