Frontiers in Veterinary Science (Jan 2021)

Case Report: Microfragmented Adipose Tissue Drug Delivery in Canine Mesothelioma: A Case Report on Safety, Feasibility, and Clinical Findings

  • Offer Zeira,
  • Erica Ghezzi,
  • Letizia Pettinari,
  • Valentina Re,
  • Davide M. Lupi,
  • Silvia L. Benali,
  • Simone Borgonovo,
  • Giulio Alessandri,
  • Giulio Alessandri,
  • Francesco Petrella,
  • Francesco Petrella,
  • Rita Paroni,
  • Rita Paroni,
  • Michele Dei Cas,
  • Carlo Tremolada,
  • Valentina Coccè,
  • Augusto Pessina

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.585427
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7

Abstract

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Mesothelioma is a rare lethal tumor of dogs and humans involving cavities of the body. Dogs are considered a model for new drugs and therapeutic methods since they present spontaneous diseases similar to humans. Microfragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) uploaded by paclitaxel (PTX) is a drug delivery medium providing slow release of chemotherapic drugs. A dog affected by pleural, pericardial, and peritoneal mesothelioma was treated by 17 intracavitary ultrasound-guided injections of MFAT-PTX over 22 months. A long-lasting improvement of general conditions was observed, treatment was well-tolerated, and no toxicity or hypersensitivity was reported. Pharmacokinetic (PK) data indicated low drug localization in the circulatory system and a tendency to enter or remain in the extravascular compartments of the body. Indeed, low levels of free-circulating drugs for a short time produced low toxicity, whereas, a higher intracavitary PTX concentration can have major pharmacological efficacy. To our knowledge, this is the first time that mesothelioma has been treated using such a procedure, and this should be considered as a novel therapeutic approach. The low systemic absorption suggests the possible role of MFAT-PTX for loco-regional/intratumoral therapy also useful in other types of tumors, and further investigation is warranted.

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