Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Neutropenia risk in dogs treated with vincristine for immune
By LaQuaglia, Kathryn A et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2021·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Neutropenia in dogs receiving vincristine for treatment of presumptive immune-mediated thrombocytopenia.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 127 dogs with a suspected blood condition called immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP) were treated with a chemotherapy drug called vincristine. Out of these, 19 dogs developed a low white blood cell count (neutropenia), which can increase the risk of infections. The study found that giving another medication called cyclosporine along with vincristine significantly raised the chances of developing neutropenia. While both groups of dogs had a high survival rate, those with neutropenia stayed in the hospital longer. It's important for vets to monitor white blood cell counts in dogs receiving vincristine, especially if they are also on cyclosporine.
People also search for: dog ITP treatment · vincristine side effects in dogs · neutropenia in dogs treatment
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Neutropenia is an adverse effect of vincristine when used in multidrug chemotherapy protocols. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of neutropenia, identify potential risk factors for neutropenia, and determine the effect of neutropenia on outcome, in dogs receiving vincristine for treatment of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP). ANIMALS: One hundred twenty-seven client-owned dogs presumptively diagnosed with ITP. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, medical records were reviewed to identify dogs presumptively diagnosed with ITP, and treated with vincristine, over a 15-year period. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for the development of neutropenia in dogs receiving vincristine. Time to platelet count ≥40 000 platelets/μL, survival, and duration of hospitalization were compared between neutropenic and non-neutropenic dogs. RESULTS: Vincristine was administered to 127 dogs with presumptive ITP; 19 became neutropenic. Administration of cyclosporine was significantly (P < .001) associated with the development of neutropenia (odds ratio: 12.97, 95% confidence interval: 4.17, 40.35). There was no difference in median time to ≥40 000 platelets/μL between neutropenic dogs (4 days; range, 1-14 days) and non-neutropenic dogs (3 days; range, 0-48 days). Percentage survival to discharge was 95% in both groups, but median duration of hospitalization was significantly longer in neutropenic dogs (6 days; range, 3-22 days) compared to non-neutropenic dogs (4 days; range, 2-15 days). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Cyclosporine administration was associated with the development of neutropenia in dogs receiving vincristine, which might be related to effects on metabolism of vincristine. Neutrophil counts should be monitored in dogs receiving vincristine treatment for ITP, particularly if administered in conjunction with cyclosporine.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33421218/