Veterinary Research Forum
Vet Res Forum

Adjuvant electrochemotherapy of malignant ocular melanoma in a dog

Document Type : Clinical Report

Authors

Jean Carlos dos Santos da Luz 1
Ana Claudia Voges 2
Leandro Guariglia D'Agostino 3

1 Comprehensive Center for Precision Oncology, Medicine School of University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

2 Independent Veterinary Ophthalmologist Practitioner, Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil

3 Independent Veterinary Oncologist Practitioner, São Paulo, Brazil

https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2023.1983391.3721
Abstract
Melanocytoma and malignant melanoma are the most typical eye tumors in dogs and cats. Due to the presence of melanin, the general appearance is often highly pigmented in a nodular formation with well-defined borders. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a therapy combining reversible electroporation and anti-neoplastic drugs to enhance their cytotoxic effects through increasing cellular uptake by the electroporated tumor cells. In this article, the use of adjuvant ECT for the treatment of canine ocular melanoma is reported. The pre-surgical exams (blood count, renal and liver functions, echocardiogram, and electrocardiogram) were within the normal range, as were the chest radiography and abdominal ultrasound without signs of metastases. On the day of the surgery, an excisional biopsy of the tumor was performed without safety margins by keratectomy associated with conjunctivectomy and adjuvant ECT in the surgical site and peri-tumoral region. The animal was followed for approximately 7 months and remained without evidence of tumor recurrence. A complete resolution of corneal opacification was also observed. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of ECT in an ocular neoplasm. From a comparative oncology perspective, this report opens the way for future therapeutic approaches in superficial ocular cancers in veterinary and human medicine.

Keywords

Dogs
Eye
Neoplasms
Surgical Oncology

Subjects

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Veterinary Research Forum
Volume 14, Issue 10
October 2023
Pages 575-578

  • Receive Date 19 January 2023
  • Revise Date 12 May 2023
  • Accept Date 14 May 2023

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