A Study of Gastrointestinal and Bone Marrow Adverse Events after Administration of Various Chemotherapeutic Agents in Canine Malignant Tumor Patients

Abstract

The purpose of this present study was to objectively evaluate gastrointestinal and bone marrow AEs after administration of various chemotherapeutic agents in canines with malignant tumors, using the Veterinary Cooperative Oncology Group-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (VCOG-CTCAE), which includes descriptive terminology used for adverse events (AEs) reported in dogs and cats. The medical records of 42 dogs with malignant tumor that underwent chemotherapy were reviewed retrospectively. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of gastrointestinal AEs among the 5 chemotherapeutic agents (vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, lomistine, and carboplatin). The prevalence of bone marrow AEs was significantly higher after administration of lomustine than after administration of vincristine or doxorubicin. Grade 1 AEs of the gastrointestinal tract and bone marrow were most often observed after administration of various chemotherapeutic agents. Delayed and cumulative myelosuppression of lomustine in some dogs receiving regular blood examination were identified. The findings of this study will help predict possible gastrointestinal and bone marrow AEs due to the use of chemotherapeutic agents to treat canines with malignant tumors.