Advances in Diagnostic and Treatment Modalities for Intracranial Tumors

Abstract

Intracranial neoplasia is a common clinical condition in domestic companion animals, particularly in dogs. Application of advances in standard diagnostic and therapeutic modalities together with a broad interest in the development of novel translational therapeutic strategies in dogs has resulted in clinically relevant improvements in outcome for many canine patients. This review highlights the status of current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to intracranial neoplasia and areas of novel treatment currently in development.

Maximizing Local Access to Therapeutic Deliveries in Glioblastoma. Part V: Clinically Relevant Model for Testing New Therapeutic Approaches

“…Our efforts include the identification of pharmacologically tractable molecular targets common to human and canine brain tumors, as well as the development of novel macroscopic methods of CNS drug delivery that overcome the limitations imposed by the bloodbrain barrier (BBB) and blood brain tumor barrier (BBTB) (13,14). The design and conduct of clinical trials in dogs with naturally occurring brain tumors is a major mechanism by which we assess our drug and device discoveries (10,13).…”

“…It has been suggested that inclusion of preclinical canine studies in the drug development pathway could result in billions of dollars of research savings, principally by improving the design of Phase II human clinical trials and thus potential avoidance of the historically high latestage failure and attrition rates of new cancer agents (9,11). Dogs with spontaneous brain tumors have been assimilated into several comparative neuro-oncology research programs in an effort to accelerate the development and translation of cancer drugs to the clinic, and to mutually improve the lives of dogs and humans with brain tumors (5,10,(12)(13)(14)(15).…”

Thermal Therapy Approaches for Treatment of Brain Tumors in Animals and Humans

“…14 Brachycephalic (“smushed face”) breeds, particularly Boxers and Boston Terriers, are overrepresented in glioma diagnoses, which account for a third or more of all primary intra-axial (inside the brain tissue) brain tumors in dogs. 15–17 Dolicocephalic (long-nose) breeds, such as Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds, more often develop meningiomas, the most frequently reported primary extra-axial (outside the brain tissue) brain tumor in dogs. 18 Together, gliomas and meningiomas account for about 80% to 90% of canine primary brain tumors, 15 and these are two of the most common brain tumors to develop in humans as well.…”

“…15–17 Dolicocephalic (long-nose) breeds, such as Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds, more often develop meningiomas, the most frequently reported primary extra-axial (outside the brain tissue) brain tumor in dogs. 18 Together, gliomas and meningiomas account for about 80% to 90% of canine primary brain tumors, 15 and these are two of the most common brain tumors to develop in humans as well. 19 Similar to human patients, the prognosis for dogs with brain tumors is poor with a median survival of 65 days (4 studies, 138 dogs) with symptomatic therapy only, 312 days (6 studies, 108 dogs) with surgical treatment, and 351 (13 studies, 428 dogs) with radiation therapy.…”

Clinical, Imaging and Pathological Characteristics of Brain Implanted Polylactic Co-Glycolic Acid Polymers Conjugated with Temozolomide

“…Primary brain tumours occur more commonly in dogs than any other domestic species [1] and while their incidence is only reported to range from 14-20/100,000 to up to 3% of the canine population, [2,3] the effects of brain tumours on both dogs and their families are often devastating. Meningiomas, the most common primary brain tumour of dogs [4,5] have shown good response to more extensive surgical resection [6][7][8] and both conventional and stereotactic radiation therapy [9,10].…”