Treatment of chronic rhinitis in dogs
Use of Lokivetmab (Cytopoint®) in the treatment of chronic rhinitis.
Chronic lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis (CLR ) is a common nasal disease in dogs, causing sneezing, runny nose and wheezing. The disease is suspected to be secondary to repeated inhalation of allergens (e.g. pollen, dust, mites)
responsible for persistent inflammation of the nasal cavities. There is no proven effective treatment protocol for this disease. Anti-inflammatories, such as cortisone, can be administered with mixed results and sometimes marked side-effects.
Lokivetmab (Cytopoint®) is a drug approved in dogs for the treatment of skin allergy, also known as atopic dermatitis. The treatment is given as a subcutaneous injection 1 x a month over the long term, and provides rapid and lasting relief from allergic symptoms. Side effects such as swelling at the injection site or hypersensitivity reactions are rare (< 10 animals / 10,000 treated animals).
The aim of this therapeutic trial is to study the clinical effects of Lokivetmab (Cytopoint®) in the treatment of chronic rhinitis in dogs. In human medicine, drugs similar to Lokivetmab are used to treat chronic rhinitis, with favorable effects on symptoms and patients' quality of life. Our hypothesis is that Lokivetmab (Cytopoint®) will significantly reduce the symptoms of chronic rhinitis in dogs.
If your dog presents clinical signs compatible with chronic rhinitis, and the examinations carried out (nose scan, rhinoscopy and nasal biopsies) confirm the disease, he/she may be included in this therapeutic trial after receiving your informed consent. Blood and nasal lavage samples will be taken, and he/she will receive a blinded subcutaneous injection of Lokivetmab (Cytopoint®) or an equivalent volume of placebo (saline) at the time of diagnosis. Saline nasal drops will be prescribed for twice-daily home treatment until your next visit. In the event of bacterial superinfection, a local antibiotic will be prescribed for 7 days. A follow-up visit should be scheduled 28 days (4 weeks) after the
diagnosis, in order to repeat the examinations free of charge (nose scan, rhinoscopy, nasal biopsies) and objectively determine the effect of the treatment. A questionnaire relating to your dog's symptoms will be completed at inclusion and after 7, 14 and 28 days. At the end of the clinical trial, an additional injection of lokivetmab (Cytopoint®) will be offered free of charge.
This treatment protocol has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Liège. All the information gathered and obtained from the examinations and samples will remain confidential and archived in a database.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about the project.
Dr. Elodie Roels DVM MSc PhD MRCVS Dip. ECVIM-CA
eroels@uliege.be
+32.4.366.44.6
