Key result
Toceranib treatment in dogs with cancer was associated with decreased global longitudinal strain at 5 months (-14.5% vs -15.7% at baseline, P=0.048) and increased systolic blood pressure.
Why the study?
Hypertension is documented in dogs receiving toceranib for cancer, but no studies had evaluated left ventricular systolic function and biomarkers of endothelial function.
Does toceranib alter cardiac function and endothelial dysfunction biomarkers in dogs with cancer?
Observational (n=26)
Does toceranib alter cardiac function and endothelial dysfunction biomarkers in dogs with cancer?
Absolute Event Rate: -14.5% vs -15.7%
p-value: p=0.048
In dogs with cancer, toceranib treatment is associated with early increases in blood pressure, alterations in endothelial biomarkers, and a mild decrease in systolic function measured by global longitudinal strain.
May warrant cardiac monitoring in dogs on toceranib; leaves open causality and need for prospective trials.
BACKGROUND: Hypertension is documented in dogs with cancer receiving toceranib, but no studies have evaluated left ventricular (LV) systolic function and biomarkers of endothelial function. OBJECTIVES: To characterize changes in echocardiographic variables and biomarkers of endothelial function in dogs treated with toceranib. ANIMALS: Twenty-six client-owned dogs with no evidence of pre-existing cardiac disease or systemic hypertension are receiving a single agent toceranib for cancer treatment. METHODS: Dogs were enrolled in this prospective observational study with study visits at baseline, 1, 3, and 5 months after starting toceranib for echocardiographic exams, blood and urine collection, and blood pressure measurements, with an additional blood pressure obtained 2 weeks after starting toceranib. Serum markers of vascular endothelial function (VEGF, endothelin-1, platelet derived growth factor [PDGF], prostacyclin, cyclic guanosine monophosphate [cGMP]) and urinary nitrate were evaluated with ELISA. RESULTS: Dogs were enrolled between 2019 and 2023. Systolic blood pressure increased 2 weeks after initiating toceranib treatment (p = 0.009). Serum prostacyclin concentration was lower after 1 month of treatment (mean 98.8 pg/mL vs. 140.0 pg/mL at baseline, p = 0.03), and serum VEGF concentration was higher after 3 months of treatment (mean of 247.8 pg/mL vs. 135.4 pg/mL at baseline, p = 0.01). Global longitudinal strain (GLS) decreased at the five-month time point (mean -14.5% vs. -15.7% at baseline, p = 0.048) with no significant change in LV fractional shortening by M-mode or ejection fraction by Simpson's method of discs. CONCLUSIONS: Dogs treated with toceranib might have higher systemic blood pressure associated with changes in VEGF and prostacyclin and decreased systolic function.
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Lopez et al. (2025) conducted an observational in Cancer (n=26). Toceranib vs. Baseline (pre-treatment) was evaluated on Global longitudinal strain (GLS) at 5 months (p=0.048). Toceranib treatment in dogs with cancer was associated with decreased global longitudinal strain at 5 months (-14.5% vs -15.7% at baseline, P=0.048) and increased systolic blood pressure.
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