What do we know about canine osteosarcoma treatment? Review.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Oncology
• Canine Bone Tumors

Background:

• Osteosarcoma (OSA) is the most prevalent bone tumor in dogs, characterized by a high propensity for metastasis.
• Lung metastasis is the primary cause of mortality in 80% of dogs diagnosed with OSA, highlighting a critical challenge in veterinary medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the etiology, pathogenesis, and risk factors associated with canine osteosarcoma.
• To evaluate recent advancements in OSA treatment, focusing on therapies that prolong survival and those found ineffective.
• To analyze surgical options like limb amputation and limb-sparing procedures, alongside single-agent and combination chemotherapy regimens.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of canine osteosarcoma.
• Analysis of treatment outcomes for various surgical and chemotherapeutic interventions.
• Exploration of novel therapeutic approaches, including nanotechnology.

Main Results:

• Established therapies such as limb amputation and limb-sparing surgery offer different management strategies with distinct advantages and disadvantages.
• Chemotherapy using agents like cisplatin, carboplatin, and doxorubicin, both as single agents and in combination, shows variable efficacy.
• Nanotechnology presents a promising avenue for OSA treatment, aiming to overcome multidrug resistance and mitigate adverse effects of cytostatic drugs.

Conclusions:

• Effective management of canine osteosarcoma requires a comprehensive understanding of its biology and treatment options.
• Current treatment strategies, including surgery and chemotherapy, have limitations, underscoring the need for innovative approaches.
• Emerging therapies like nanotechnology hold potential for improving treatment efficacy and reducing toxicity in canine osteosarcoma.