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Treating canine Cushing's syndrome: Current options and future prospects
K Sanders1, H S Kooistra1, S Galac1
1Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 108, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Veterinary Journal (London, England : 1997)
|October 21, 2018
Summary
Cushing's syndrome in dogs is caused by pituitary or adrenal tumors. Current treatments like trilostane and mitotane have drawbacks, prompting research into more targeted future therapies for canine hypercortisolism.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Naturally occurring hypercortisolism (Cushing's syndrome) is a common endocrine disorder in dogs.
- It stems from either pituitary adenomas (pituitary-dependent hypercortisolism, PDH) or adrenocortical tumors (ACT).
- Differentiating between PDH and ACT is crucial for selecting the optimal treatment strategy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current treatment options for canine hypercortisolism.
- To analyze the mechanism of action, efficacy, adverse effects, and survival impact of existing therapies.
- To discuss emerging drug developments for both adrenal and pituitary targeting.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current and developing treatments for canine hypercortisolism.
- Analysis of pharmacotherapy, including steroidogenesis inhibitors (trilostane) and adrenocorticolytic drugs (mitotane).
- Exploration of surgical and radiotherapeutic options for PDH and ACT.
Main Results:
- Trilostane is commonly used for PDH, while both trilostane and mitotane are options for ACT.
- Current pharmacotherapies are effective but possess disadvantages.
- Surgical and radiotherapeutic options exist but have limitations regarding risks, availability, and patient suitability.
Conclusions:
- Accurate diagnosis is essential for effective management of canine hypercortisolism.
- Existing treatments have limitations, highlighting the need for improved therapeutic approaches.
- Future treatments focusing on selective and tumor-targeted drug delivery hold promise for better outcomes in canine PDH and ACT.
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