title: Evaluation of dexamethasone as a chemoprotectant for CCNU-induced bone marrow suppression in dogs.
abstract: In mice and people, administering corticosteroids before chemotherapy can reduce the severity of myelosuppression without reducing antitumour effects. This study investigated whether pretreatment with dexamethasone would reduce the incidence of grade 4 neutropenia in dogs receiving CCNU. Twenty-five dogs received dexamethasone [0.1 mg kg(-1) per os (PO) every 12 h] for 5 days and on the sixth day received CCNU (90 mg m(-2) PO). Historical dogs (n = 67) received CCNU alone (90 mg m(-2) PO). Forty-five percent of historical dogs had grade 4 neutropenia, while 64% of dogs pretreated with dexamethasone had grade 4 neutropenia (P = 0.16). Dexamethasone plasma levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in three healthy dogs. Peak plasma concentrations after a single oral 0.1-mg kg(-1) dose were <80 ng mL(-1), the minimum level associated with chemoprotective effects of dexamethasone in people. Pretreatment with dexamethasone did not reduce the incidence of grade 4 neutropenia in dogs receiving CCNU.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Intile
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Rassnick
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Al-Sarraf
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Chretin
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Balkman
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Flory
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kiselow
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Wakshlag
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008130:Lomustine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D009518:New York; D012582:Schools, Veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008130:Lomustine; D003907:Dexamethasone