Evaluation of Weight Change During Carboplatin Therapy in Dogs With Appendicular Osteosarcoma

Abstract

BackgroundThe prevalence of cancer cachexia in veterinary medicine has not been studied widely, and as of yet, no definitive diagnostic criteria effectively assess this syndrome in veterinary patients.Objectives(1) To determine the patterns of weight change in dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma treated with amputation and single‐agent carboplatin during the course of adjuvant chemotherapy; and (2) to determine whether postoperative weight change is a negative prognostic indicator for survival time in dogs with osteosarcoma.AnimalsEighty‐eight dogs diagnosed with appendicular osteosarcoma. Animals were accrued from 3 veterinary teaching hospitals.MethodsRetrospective, multi‐institutional study. Dogs diagnosed with appendicular osteosarcoma and treated with limb amputation followed by a minimum of 4 doses of single‐agent carboplatin were included. Data analyzed in each patient included signalment, tumor site, preoperative serum alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), and body weight (kg) at each carboplatin treatment.ResultsA slight increase in weight occurred over the course of chemotherapy, but this change was not statistically significant. Weight change did not have a significant effect on survival. Institution, patient sex, and serum ALP activity did not have a significant effect on survival.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceWeight change was not a prognostic factor in these dogs, and weight loss alone may not be a suitable method of determining cancer cachexia in dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma.

Demographic characteristics, site and phylogenetic distribution of dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma: 744 dogs (2000-2015)

“…[7, 20] However, the radius has been more frequently reported as the most common site for canine OS. [2, 3, 14, 16, 18, 25, 26, 28] The category of “radius/ulna” as a tumor location in this study may have affected the accuracy of the evaluation of tumor location frequency, as this category included tumors whose bone of origin (radius versus ulna) could not be clearly distinguished from the medical record, and thus were not included in the analysis for location frequency. Exclusion of the 54 cases arising in this area may have led to under-estimation of the distal radius as an anatomic site.…”

“…[2–4, 8, 10, 12–16] Males have been over-represented in some reports but this finding has not been supported in other reports. [2, 3, 7–10, 12–18] Endogenous sex hormones may play a role in sarcomagenesis–some studies have identified significantly increased risk of developing OS in neutered compared to intact dogs. [13, 19–21] Appendicular OS has been commonly reported in large and giant breed dogs, with increased incidence of disease in certain breeds including boxers, Great Danes, Rottweilers, Saint Bernards, Irish setters, Doberman pinschers, greyhounds, German shepherds, Irish wolfhounds and Leonbergers.…”

“…[13, 19–21] Appendicular OS has been commonly reported in large and giant breed dogs, with increased incidence of disease in certain breeds including boxers, Great Danes, Rottweilers, Saint Bernards, Irish setters, Doberman pinschers, greyhounds, German shepherds, Irish wolfhounds and Leonbergers. [1, 3, 8, 11–14, 18, 21–26] An increased risk of OS development has been identified with increasing weight, height and age. [13] Appendicular OS occurs predominantly at the metaphyses of long bones and affects the bones of the forelimb more commonly than the hindlimb.…”

“…[3, 7, 15, 22, 27] The distal portion of the radius and the proximal portion of the humerus are the most commonly affected sites. [2, 3, 7, 14, 16, 18, 20, 25, 28] The pathogenesis of canine OS and underlying factors driving its phenotypic manifestations are not well understood.…”

Effect of chemotherapy and aromatase inhibitors in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer on glucose and insulin metabolism—A systematic review

“…Very few animal studies have examined the metabolic impact of chemotherapy; Story et al reported weight gain in dogs receiving carboplatin while another study found significant increases in total and LDL cholesterol in rats when treated with cisplatin and oxaliplatin . Pivotal studies on humans have linked alkylating agents to hypertension and increased cholesterol, but metabolic factors are rarely part of initial drug testing.…”