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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Dog with hemophagocytic histiocytic sarcoma treated with doxorubicin

By Soileau, Aimée M et al.·Published in The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne·2023·Department of Clinical Sciences (Soileau, United States·View original on PubMed

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Original publication title: Doxorubicin and zoledronate treatment in a dog with hemophagocytic histiocytic sarcoma.

Species:
dog

Plain-English summary

A 6-year-old male greyhound was diagnosed with a serious cancer called hemophagocytic histiocytic sarcoma after surgery to remove his spleen. He had low platelet counts and other blood abnormalities, and tests suggested the cancer might have spread to his liver. The vet started a combination treatment with doxorubicin and zoledronate, which helped improve his condition and resolve his blood issues for about five months. Unfortunately, the cancer progressed, and a different treatment did not work. Overall, he lived for six months with the chemotherapy.

People also search for: greyhound cancer treatment · doxorubicin for dog cancer · hemophagocytic histiocytic sarcoma in dogs

Abstract

A 6-year-old castrated male greyhound dog was referred for hemophagocytic histiocytic sarcoma (HHS) diagnosed following splenectomy. Severe thrombocytopenia, mild hypoalbuminemia, mild hypocholesterolemia, and mild hyperbilirubinemia were present. Abdominal ultrasound findings were concerning for hepatic metastasis. Doxorubicin and zoledronate combination therapy was initiated. The dog improved clinically and its thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, and hyperbilirubinemia resolved. The dog appeared well for 147 d before tumor progression was noted. The dog was treated with lomustine as a final measure, with no response. The dog survived for 6 mo with chemotherapy. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of clinical benefit of chemotherapy for HHS. Key clinical message: Doxorubicin should be considered for treating canine HHS since this variant of the disease is historically refractory to lomustine. Further research regarding efficacy of doxorubicin and zoledronate should be pursued.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38046421/