Yali Chen, Yu Gao, Shumin Li, Bo Liu, Ingo Nolte, Hugo Murua Escobar, Feng Yu
TKIs show moderate therapeutic activity in cL and support the role of dogs as a translational model for NHL research. However, further studies are needed to confirm their efficacy and safety and to explore optimal combination and personalized treatment strategies.
BACKGROUND: Canine lymphoma (cL), the second most common canine cancer after mammary carcinoma, presents therapeutic challenges due to limitations of conventional regimens, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which have demonstrated efficacy in human non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), are increasingly being investigated as targeted therapies for cL, which also serves as a valuable translational model for NHL research.
OBJECTIVES: To systematically evaluate the efficacy of TKIs in the treatment of cL.
METHODS: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Embase databases was conducted, encompassing studies published between January 1, 2004 and January 1, 2026, using controlled vocabulary terms including "Canine," "Dogs," "Lymphoma," and "Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors". A meta-analysis was subsequently performed to evaluate the efficacy of TKIs.
RESULTS: Seventeen articles were included, comprising 11 clinical trials and 9 in vitro experiments, with some studies encompassing both methodologies. A meta-analysis encompassing 101 dogs from 11 clinical trials showed an objective response rate (ORR) of 42% (95% CI: 32-53%; common-effect model), indicating moderate antitumor activity. Notably, canine T-cell lymphoma (ORR = 0.63) may exhibit a higher response rate compared to canine B-cell lymphoma (ORR = 0.27).
CONCLUSIONS: TKIs show moderate therapeutic activity in cL and support the role of dogs as a translational model for NHL research. However, further studies are needed to confirm their efficacy and safety and to explore optimal combination and personalized treatment strategies.