Exfoliative Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus in German Shorthaired Pointer Dogs: Disease Development, Progression, and Evaluation of Three Immunomodulatory Drugs (Ciclosporin, Hydroxychloroquine, and Adalimumab) in a Controlled Environment
June 2010
in “
Veterinary Dermatology
”
TLDR Hydroxychloroquine showed some potential, but overall, the three drugs had limited success in treating lupus in dogs.
The study focused on Exfoliative Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (ECLE) in six German Shorthaired Pointer dogs, assessing the progression of the disease and the efficacy of three immunomodulatory drugs: ciclosporin, hydroxychloroquine, and adalimumab. Ciclosporin was administered to four dogs and showed some initial improvement, but lesions worsened over time. Hydroxychloroquine, given to three dogs, seemed to slow the disease's progression in two dogs and normalized globulin levels, while adalimumab, administered to two dogs, did not result in significant clinical improvement. The study concluded that the response to these therapies was generally poor, with hydroxychloroquine showing some promise for long-term treatment safety. The study also marked the first evaluation of a TNF-α inhibitor in canine lupus and documented the use of hydroxychloroquine in veterinary medicine.
