Chemotherapy toxicity in dog cancer: Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC)
ByChemotherapy agents are used to help slow the growth of tumors, improve life quality, and decrease tumor spread in dogs. Although the doses used are less than in humans, toxicity of chemo drugs is still a concern.
The big problem is that things that decrease toxicity of the chemo drugs often will decrease the effectiveness of those drugs as well. So we end up with an overall neutralization of the chemo drug effects, both good and bad.
One contender I’ve come across to help with chemo toxicity, and possibly with no reduction in chemo effect, is Acetyl-L-Carnitine.
This amino acid derivative was shown to reduce the nerve toxicity effects seen with platinum compounds. The platinum compounds used in dogs are cisplatin and carboplatin, usually for osteosarcoma (bone tumors), transmissible venereal tumor, and mast cell tumors.
The nice thing was that, at least in rats receiving cisplatin, the Acetyl-L-Carnitine did not interfere with the effectiveness of the cisplatin. Read more here. And here.
Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) can cause irreversible injury to the heart. This drug is used often with lymphosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, other sarcomas, and carcinomas. There is some new evidence that ALC is able to block this effect. Here is the paper for your reference.
According to the University of Maryland, this effect may occur without decreasing the effectiveness of the doxorubicin (scroll down to the bottom of this link). Another study showed that there was a reversal of heart toxicity due to doxorubicin in rats without decreasing its effectiveness using ALC.
Side effects are minimal in dogs. Some develop digestive upset (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea).
The lowest published dose is 1 gram twice daily.
As always, make sure you are in touch with your veterinarian and/or oncologist regarding any treatment plan in dog cancer, as the info here is not a recommendation for any individual, specific dog. Each animal needs to have its own case evaluation….
Hope this helps!!
Best,
Dr Dressler
About the Author
Dr. Demian Dressler, DVM is known as the "dog cancer vet" and is author of Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Beyond Surgery, Chemotherapy & Radiation. Visit his blog and sign up free to get the latest information about canine cancer. Go to http://DogCancerBlog.com.
6 Comments
December 17th, 2008 at 2:58 am
My 12 yr old dog started cancer treatment last March for lymphoma. Yesterday after being in remission for 4 months his cancer has come back. My husband and I want to do the right thing for him; which would be to retreat him, what are the chances of the lymphoma coming back again and are we making the right decision to retreat him. His health is good with the exception of the cancer returning.
Please help us make the right choice for our beloved pet.
Thanking you in advance,
Kathleen
P.S. we have to make the decision today (this a.m.)
December 18th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Kathleen, I must be honest here and let you know that usually the “recapture” period is shorter than the first remission. Translation: it will most often come back faster the second time.
Please read the blog on life quality as well.
Regards,
D
January 13th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Dr. Dressler-
Our dog Griffy was diagnosed with Lymphoma this past December. He has had four treatments on the Madison protocol and is up for Doxorubicin this coming Thursday. I am very concerned about the potential side effects of this drug, especially possible heart damage, and want to do everything I can to try prevent and/or alleviate them. Coenzyme Q10 has been recommended, but my wife has read about never using any antioxidants while a dog is being treated with chemo. Do you have any suggestions regarding this issue?
Patrick
January 19th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
My 12.5 year old Westie-Poo was diagnosed with a tumor growing over the bladder and actually has penetrated the wall of the bladder. The vet wanted to do a tissue biopsy and even try to remove the tumor. After the information of the treatment options, chemo to follow and of course the cost involved, I declined the surgery. Instead, the vet took a “fluid” biopsy with a scope and sent it to a lab. The report came back “inconclusive” likely because they didn’t have a tissue sample. This tumor/mass was detected three weeks after the first ultrasound was done due to a bladder infection. This tumor grew in just a span of three weeks! I love my dog, she is my baby. However, I am on a fixed income and the cost was way beyond my means.
The vet put my dog on Previcox 57mg and Amoxicillin 150mg. After a two week period, she recommended Piroxicam 2mg instead of Previcox. However, Abby cannot tolerate it and throws up on it. Tomorrow she has another ultrasound to view the bladder and determine if it has grown or (hopefully) not grown or metastasized. I printed out your report on the Doxycyline and will show this to my vet tomorrow. I have downloaded your coping guide DVDs as well as ordering the print out. Abby shows no signs of sickness, except the constant licking of the vulva area. Any suggestion Dr. Dressler that I may discuss with my vet?
I am not sure if you are familiar with Andrew Jones, DVM out of British Columbia, CANADA. I have been feeding Abby Dr. Jones’ Ultimate All In One Nutrition. This supplement powder has made such a difference in Abby’s digestion problems. I used to feed her Iams Low Residue until I found it contained Ethoxiquin, a known carcinogenic. I spoke to my vet and she didn’t know that Iams foods contained this preservative. Interestingly enough, when speaking with an Iams’ representative, they told me that they only use this preservative in the foods that are sold by vets, not over the counter. Andrew Jones, DVM says to “NEVER give your dog food that contains Ethoxyquin, or its two equally dangerous companion chemicals - BHA and BHT.” Abby is now on Royal Canin, HE. It has absolutely no preservatives in it. In my opinion, I believe that these preservatives are a leading cause of cancer in dogs.
January 19th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Judith, sounds like a tough time for all. Discuss EGCG with your vet. There is a study that supports the idea that EGCG, from green tea, can lessen the amount of peroxicam needed and boost the blood levels of it.
Good luck!
D
February 12th, 2009 at 6:22 am
I’ve lost since 2004 two leos due to cancer, one mammary ca., mam.glands removed, she was fine for 18 months, than recidives and the cancer metastated (finally squameous cell ca.) - the other one died from liver-ca. and he was fine till the very last day; we tried to so an operation as we were not sure about the symptoms (could have as well been a ruptured spleen) - finally we found cancerous noddles on both liver parts - and so we had to let him go……… I am now mainly interested to AVOID - if any possible - cancer in my Leos and as well to be prepared for “alternative” methods in case it should happen to us. The breed is on medium risk for haemangiosarcoma, osteosarcom and females for mammary ca.
I did work in the medical field for several years and I am also a holistic animal therapeut (homeopathy, Bach Flower remedies, phytotherapy etc.), got the chance to do volunteer work on animal hospitals and I am always eager to learn more as cancer seems to be the #1 problem for humans and animals.
Thanks !