Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How chemotherapy with vincristine and prednisolone affects gut
By J. Aragon et al.·Published in Veterinary and Comparative Oncology·2025·View original on Semantic Scholar →
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Original publication title: Impacts of Vincristine and Prednisolone Chemotherapy on the Canine Gut Microbiota in Dogs Undergoing Treatment for Lymphoma
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 25 dogs with lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy experienced changes in their gut bacteria after the first week of treatment with vincristine and prednisolone. Owners may notice symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting as the chemotherapy can disrupt the normal gut microbiota, leading to gastrointestinal issues. The study found that certain beneficial bacteria decreased significantly, which could contribute to these digestive problems. Understanding these changes can help veterinarians develop better ways to manage side effects during chemotherapy.
People also search for: dog lymphoma treatment side effects · chemotherapy diarrhea in dogs · gut health in dogs with cancer
Abstract
ABSTRACT Chemotherapy can have adverse gastrointestinal effects in dogs and people. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of vincristine and prednisolone/prednisone, as part of a CHOP chemotherapy [cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunorubicin, oncovin (vincristine) and prednisolone/prednisone] protocol, on gastrointestinal dysbiosis in dogs with lymphoma. We hypothesised the first week of chemotherapy (administration of vincristine and prednisolone/prednisone, VCR/Pred) produces compositional and functional shifts in the canine faecal microbiota that are associated with increased dysbiosis. Faecal samples from canine lymphoma patients (n = 25) were compared for microbiota and metabolites before (pre‐chemotherapy) and after the first week of VCR/Pred (post‐chemotherapy). A dysbiosis index (DI) was calculated for each dog via quantitative PCR of seven bacterial taxa established for altered ratios in canine gastrointestinal dysbiosis: Faecalibacterium, Turicibacter, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus, Blautia, Fusobacterium and Peptacetobacter hiranonis (formerly Clostridium hiranonis ). There was a significant increase in the DI post‐chemotherapy compared to pre‐chemotherapy (p = 0.021) concurrent with a significant decrease in faecal P. hiranonis concentrations post‐chemotherapy (p = 0.0003). 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing analysis revealed a significant decrease in Enterococcaceae post‐chemotherapy (p = 0.013). Targeted faecal lipid profiling identified markers of host and bacterial metabolic dysfunction that were altered following chemotherapy, including significant decreases in arachidonate (p = 0.0015), nervonate (p = 0.027), cholestanol (p = 0.011) and campesterol (p = 0.0035). These findings support that shifts in gut microbiota structure and function may contribute to gastroenteritis in dogs following the first week of VCR/Pred. Gut dysbiosis measures are important for improved treatment options that alleviate gastrointestinal complications associated with chemotherapy in animals and people.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Semantic Scholar: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/40326149