Medical Brief: Treatment of Canine Cutaneous Epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma with Olacitinib

Dr. Gerry Post

Jeylan Aslan, Michael A. Shipstone and Louise M. Sullivan Vet Dermatol. 2021 May 25. doi: 10.1111/vde.12976

This case study reviews the use of olacitinib to treat cutaneous epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma (CETL).

  • Cutaneous epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma (CETL) is a rare skin tumor that has a poor prognosis.
  • Treatments with CCNU, PEGylated L-asparaginase, doxil, doxorubicin, retinoids, prednisolone and radiation therapy have been reported.
  • Oclacitinib is a JAK1 inhibitor, but also inhibits JAK2, JAK3, and TYK2
  • Oclacitinib has been shown to deplete CD4+ and CD8+ T cell in vivo as the JAK/STAT pathways are essential for T-cell function.
  • The use of oclacitinib in this dog resulted in a partial remission that lasted for 3 months.
  • The dose of oclacitinib was 0.7 mk/kg twice daily-- a high dose--it is unclear if the low dose approach would have resulted in a similar outcome.
  • The drug and dosage was very well tolerated by this dog.

This is a successful use of a targeted therapy in a dog for a disease other than that which it was initially intended.

It is encouraging to see targeted therapy making a difference in the treatment of canine cancer. To us here at FidoCure®, this strengthens our commitment to using precision medicine and targeted therapy to develop new treatment options to help cancer patients on both sides of the leash.

DISCLAIMER: All patients are enrolled in FidoCure® by a veterinarian with a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR). We use best efforts to inform the veterinarian on available targeted therapy options for patients. FidoCure® does not prescribe therapy. The targeted therapies that veterinarians may prescribe and order from compounding pharmacies, after receiving genetic test results from FidoCure®, may constitute extra-label uses of those drugs. FidoCure® makes no claims that every patient will have genetic test results that lead to targeted therapy options. FidoCure® makes no claims or guarantees about the effectiveness of the diagnostic and targeted therapy selected by the veterinarian for an individual patient. Like most cancer care approaches, the services provided by FidoCure® are not a guarantee of a cure. FidoCure® is not a pharmacy and does not supply drugs directly. By ordering any medication via one of our pharmacy partners, you agree that the pharmacy, not FidoCure®, is solely responsible and liable for any and all issues relating to the preparation, dispensation and fulfillment of the medication. The lifetime offer is subject to the commercially reasonable availability of any medication(s) and/or active pharmaceutical ingredient(s) necessary for the selected therapy. 

© Copyright 2018-2022 OHC, All rights reserved