Adding pasireotide to adrenal treatment for dogs with pituitary tumors

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To evaluate clinical signs, endocrine test results, and pituitary tumor size for dogs with medically managed pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH) and macroadenoma following 6 months of concurrent treatment with pasireotide. DESIGN Prospective case series. ANIMALS 9 client-owned dogs with PDH and macroadenoma in which PDH had been successfully managed with adrenal-directed treatment (trilostane or mitotane). PROCEDURES Dogs were given pasireotide (0.03 mg/kg [0.014 mg/lb], SC, q 12 h) for 6 months, while adrenal-directed treatment was continued. Physical examination, basic clinicopathologic testing, ACTH stimulation testing, and plasma ACTH concentration measurement were performed before (baseline) and 3 and 6 months after treatment began. Measurements of pituitary gland volume and pituitary gland-to-brain ratio were performed via MRI at baseline and 6 months after treatment began. RESULTS No dog developed neurologic abnormalities or signs of adverse effects during the study period. No differences from baseline were identified in clinicopathologic values, ACTH stimulation test results, or plasma ACTH concentration at the 3- or 6-month assessment points. After 6 months of pasireotide treatment, 6 dogs had decreases in MRI-measured values, and 3 had increases. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Pasireotide as administered in this study had no noted adverse effects on dogs with PDH and macroadenoma successfully managed with standard treatment. Placebo-controlled, randomized studies are needed to determine whether pasireotide protects from the development of neurologic signs or improves outcome in dogs with pituitary macroadenomas.