Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Toceranib phosphate effects on thyroid hormones in dogs with cancer
By Hume, K R et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2018·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Effects of Toceranib Phosphate on the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid Axis in Tumor-Bearing Dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 43 dogs with cancer were monitored while receiving a medication called toceranib phosphate, which is known to affect thyroid function in humans. Over 90 days, the dogs showed changes in their thyroid hormone levels, specifically a decrease in free thyroxine (FT4) and an increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), although these levels remained within normal ranges. No dogs developed thyroid autoantibodies, which can indicate thyroid disease. It’s important for pet owners to have their dogs' thyroid levels checked regularly if they are on this medication to ensure their thyroid function remains stable.
People also search for: dog cancer medication side effects · toceranib phosphate thyroid problems · dog thyroid hormone levels · monitoring thyroid in dogs on medication
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Thyroid dysfunction is associated with the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in people. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To determine whether dysfunction in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis occurs in dogs receiving the TKI, toceranib phosphate. ANIMALS: Forty-three client-owned dogs with cancer. METHODS: Prospective, observational study. Concentrations of total thyroxine (TT4), free thyroxine (FT4), total triiodothyronine (TT3), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were evaluated on day 0, 30, and 90. Dogs also were evaluated for the presence of thyroglobulin autoantibodies. RESULTS: The proportion of dogs with low TT4, low FT4, low TT3, high TSH, or primary hypothyroidism (increased TSH and decreased TT4, FT4 or both) did not change over 90 days. Hormone concentrations remained within laboratory reference intervals, but FT4 (P = 0.0032) and TSH (P < 0.0001) changed over time. Mean FT4 was 1.22 ng/dL (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-1.34) on day 0 and 1.00 ng/dL (95% CI, 0.86-1.16) on day 90. Mean TSH was 0.17 ng/mL (95% CI, 0.13-0.23) on day 0 and 0.34 ng/mL (95% CI, 0.24-0.48) on day 90. Furthermore, TT4/TT3 ratio also changed over time (P = 0.0086). Mean TT4/TT3 ratio was 2.57 (95% CI, 2.26-2.88) on day 0 and 2.02 on day 90 (95% CI, 1.61-2.44). Thyroglobulin autoantibodies were not detected in any dog. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Toceranib phosphate can disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in dogs. Periodic evaluation of TT4, FT4, TT3, and TSH should be carried out in dogs receiving long-term treatment with this medication.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29193327/