12 research outputs found
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in dogs - correlation with health and cancer risk
25âhydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) is important in bone health as well as many diseases including cancer. Supplementation may increase responsiveness of cancer cells to chemotherapy. Serum 25(OH)D, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and canine Câreactive protein (câCRP) were measured in healthy dogs and dogs with haemoabdomen. Regression analysis determined optimal 25(OH)D concentrations. In healthy dogs (n = 282), mean iPTH concentrations correlated inversely (r2 = 0.88, P 150 ng mLâ1. Relative risk of cancer increased with decreasing 25(OH)D concentrations [RR = 3.9 for 25(OH)D below 40 ng mLâ1 (P = 0.0001)]. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations in dogs vary widely, and are influenced by dietary VitD content. Serum vitD measurement can identify dogs for which supplementation may improve health and response to cancer therapy
PulseâAdministered Toceranib Phosphate Plus Lomustine for Treatment of Unresectable Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs
BACKGROUND: Nonresectable mast cell tumors (MCT) in dogs remain a therapeutic challenge, and investigation of novel combination therapies is warranted. Intermittent administration of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) combined with cytotoxic chemotherapy may effectively chemosensitize canine MCT while decreasing cost and adverse effects associated with either agent administered as monotherapy. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The primary study objectives were to (1) identify the maximally tolerated dose (MTD), (2) determine the objective response rate (ORR) and (3) describe the adverse event profile of pulseâadministered toceranib phosphate (TOC) combined with lomustine. ANIMALS: Fortyâseven clientâowned dogs with measurable MCT. METHODS: Toceranib phosphate was given PO on days 1, 3 and 5 of a 21âday cycle at a target dosage of 2.75Â mg/kg. Lomustine was given PO on day 3 of each cycle at a starting dosage of 50Â mg/m(2). All dogs were concurrently treated with diphenhydramine, omeprazole, and prednisone. RESULTS: The MTD of lomustine was established at 50Â mg/m(2) when combined with pulseâadministered TOC; the doseâlimiting toxicity was neutropenia. Fortyâone dogs treated at the MTD were evaluable for outcome assessment. The ORR was 46% (4 complete response, 15 partial response) and the overall median progressionâfree survival (PFS) was 53Â days (1 to >752Â days). On multivariate analysis, variables significantly associated with improved PFS included response to treatment, absence of metastasis, and no previous chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Combined treatment with pulseâadministered TOC and lomustine generally is well tolerated and may be a reasonable treatment option for dogs with unresectable or metastatic MCT
Elevated serum thymidine kinase activity in canine splenic hemangiosarcoma
Thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) is a soluble biomarker associated with DNA synthesis. This prospective study evaluated serum TK1 activity in dogs presenting with hemoabdomen and a splenic mass. An ELISA using azidothymidine as a substrate was used to evaluate TK1 activity. Sixtyâtwo dogs with hemoabdomen and 15 normal controls were studied. Serum TK1 activity was significantly higher in dogs with hemangiosarcoma (HSA) than in normal dogs (mean ± SEM = 17.0 ± 5.0 and 2.01 ± 0.6, respectively), but not dogs with benign disease (mean ± SEM = 10.0 ± 3.3). Using a cutâoff of 6.55 U/L, TK activity demonstrated a sensitivity of 0.52, specificity of 0.93, positive predictive value of 0.94 and negative predictive value of 0.48 for distinguishing HSA versus normal. When interval thresholds of 7.95 U/L were used together, diagnostic utility was increased. Serum TK1 evaluation may help to discriminate between benign disease and HSA in dogs with hemoabdomen and a splenic mass
First joint oscillation analysis of Super-Kamiokande atmospheric and T2K accelerator neutrino data
The Super-Kamiokande and T2K collaborations present a joint measurement of neutrino oscillation parameters from their atmospheric and beam neutrino data. It uses a common interaction model for events overlapping in neutrino energy and correlated detector systematic uncertainties between the two datasets, which are found to be compatible. Using 3244.4 days of atmospheric data and a beam exposure of protons on target in (anti)neutrino mode, the analysis finds a 1.9 exclusion of CP-conservation (defined as ) and a preference for the normal mass ordering