title: Prevalence of elevated alanine transaminase activity in dogs treated with CCNU (Lomustine)*.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate prevalence of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) elevation in dogs receiving lomustine (CCNU) and to analyse the pattern of occurrence and potential risk factors. Serum ALT activity in 109 dogs during single-agent CCNU chemotherapy was retrospectively analysed. The median initial dose, dose-intensity and cumulative dose of CCNU were 64 mg m(-2), 21 mg m(-2) week(-1) and 171 mg m(-2), respectively. The overall prevalence of major ALT elevation [> 5-fold upper reference limit (URL)] was 29% (32/109) and developed most commonly after one to three doses of CCNU. These ALT elevations occurred without preceding mild ALT elevation in 53% (17/32) of the cases. Three dogs (2.8%) developed clinical hepatopathy. For severe ALT elevation (>10-fold URL), age < or =5-year-old was associated with higher risk. The findings of this study showed that elevation of ALT is common during CCNU chemotherapy in dogs and severe elevation can develop on a sudden onset.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and Veterinary Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. whitelittlesnow@aol.com
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hosoya
authors.forename: L K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Lord
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lara-Garcia
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Kisseberth
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: London
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Couto
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D008130:Lomustine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D008130:Lomustine; D000410:Alanine Transaminase