Cytosine arabinoside constant rate infusion without subsequent subcutaneous injections for the treatment of dogs with meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown origin

• Published in: Veterinary record Vol. 187; no. 11; p. e98
• Main Authors: Stee, Kimberley, Broeckx, Bart J G, Targett, Mike, Gomes, Sergio A, Lowrie, Mark
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Limited 28.11.2020; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Animals; cytarabine; Cytarabine - administration & dosage; cytosar; Dog Diseases - drug therapy; Dogs; Female; Follow-Up Studies; granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis; Infusions, Intravenous - veterinary; Injections, Subcutaneous - veterinary; Male; Meningoencephalitis - drug therapy; Meningoencephalitis - veterinary; meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown (a)etiology; necrotising leucoencephalitis; necrotising meningoencephalomyelitis; Neurology; Prospective Studies; Proteins; Success; Survival analysis; Treatment Outcome; Veterinary medicine; Veterinary services; cytarabine; cytosar; meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown (a)etiology; necrotising meningoencephalomyelitis; granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis; necrotising leucoencephalitis
• ISSN: 0042-4900; 2042-7670
• DOI: 10.1136/vr.106019

BackgroundThe administration of cytosine arabinoside (CA) by continuous rate infusion (CRI) at the time of diagnosis has been shown to improve the 3-month survival of dogs diagnosed with meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown origin (MUO), compared to subcutaneous administration. The benefit of administering subsequent sequential CA subcutaneous injections is unknown. This study compares the outcomes of a CA CRI protocol with (CRI+subcutaneous group) or without (CRI group) follow-up CA subcutaneous injections; both groups received adjunctive prednisolone.MethodsForty-two dogs diagnosed with MUO were recruited (CRI group) and compared with 41 historical control dogs (CRI+subcutaneous group) in a prospective, controlled clinical trial with 36 months of follow-up.ResultsSuccess rates were respectively 64.3 per cent and 65 per cent in the CRI and the CRI+subcutaneous groups at 40 weeks following diagnosis, and 32.5 per cent and 35.9 per cent at 36 months following diagnosis. The median time to relapse was 299 and 285 days for the CRI and the CRI+subcutaneous groups, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found (P≥0.05).ConclusionNo clear benefit was identified in the administration of subsequent sequential CA subcutaneous injections after the first administration of CA by CRI for the treatment of dogs diagnosed with MUO.