Case report: Resolution of malignant canine mast cell tumor using ketogenic metabolic therapy alone
BackgroundMast cell tumors (MCT) are common neoplasms in dogs and are similar to most other malignant cancers in requiring glucose for growth, regardless of histological grade. Ketogenic metabolic therapy (KMT) is emerging as a non-toxic nutritional intervention for cancer management in animals and...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1157517/full |
| _version_ | 1827978491824439296 |
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| author | Thomas N. Seyfried Purna Mukherjee Derek C. Lee Linh Ta Loren Nations |
| author_facet | Thomas N. Seyfried Purna Mukherjee Derek C. Lee Linh Ta Loren Nations |
| author_sort | Thomas N. Seyfried |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundMast cell tumors (MCT) are common neoplasms in dogs and are similar to most other malignant cancers in requiring glucose for growth, regardless of histological grade. Ketogenic metabolic therapy (KMT) is emerging as a non-toxic nutritional intervention for cancer management in animals and humans alike. We report the case of a 7 years-old Pit Bull terrier that presented in 2011 with a cutaneous mast cell tumor under the right nostril.MethodsThe patient’s parent refused standard of care (SOC) and steroid medication after initial tumor diagnosis due to the unacceptable adverse effects of these treatments. Following tumor diagnosis, the patient’s diet was switched from Ol’Roy dog food to raw vegetables with cooked fish. The tumor continued to grow on this diet until July, 2013 when the diet was switched to a carbohydrate free, raw calorie restricted ketogenic diet consisting mostly of chicken and oils. A dog food calculator was used to reduce calories to 60% (40% calorie restriction) of that consumed on the original diet. A total of 444 kilocalories were given twice/day at 12 h intervals with one medium-sized raw radish given as a treat between each meal.ResultsThe tumor grew to about 3–4 cm and invaded surrounding tissues while the patient was on the raw vegetable, cooked fish diet. The tumor gradually disappeared over a period of several months when the patient was switched to the carbohydrate free calorie restricted ketogenic diet. The patient lost 2.5 kg during the course of the calorie restriction and maintained an attentive and active behavior. The patient passed away without pain on June 4, 2019 (age 15 years) from failure to thrive due to an enlarged heart with no evidence of mast cell tumor recurrence.ConclusionThis is the first report of a malignant cutaneous mast cell tumor in a dog treated with KMT alone. The resolution of the tumor in this canine patient could have been due to the diet-induced energy stress and the restriction of glucose-driven aerobic fermentation that is essential for the growth of most malignant tumors. Further studies are needed to determine if this non-toxic dietary therapeutic strategy could be effective in managing other canine patients with malignant mast cell tumors. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T21:21:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8c800ecd78474366bdee41e2066cad1d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-861X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T21:21:43Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj.art-8c800ecd78474366bdee41e2066cad1d2023-03-28T05:16:24ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2023-03-011010.3389/fnut.2023.11575171157517Case report: Resolution of malignant canine mast cell tumor using ketogenic metabolic therapy aloneThomas N. Seyfried0Purna Mukherjee1Derek C. Lee2Linh Ta3Loren Nations4Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United StatesDepartment of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United StatesDepartment of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United StatesDepartment of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, United StatesVeterinary Healthcare Associates, Winter Haven, FL, United StatesBackgroundMast cell tumors (MCT) are common neoplasms in dogs and are similar to most other malignant cancers in requiring glucose for growth, regardless of histological grade. Ketogenic metabolic therapy (KMT) is emerging as a non-toxic nutritional intervention for cancer management in animals and humans alike. We report the case of a 7 years-old Pit Bull terrier that presented in 2011 with a cutaneous mast cell tumor under the right nostril.MethodsThe patient’s parent refused standard of care (SOC) and steroid medication after initial tumor diagnosis due to the unacceptable adverse effects of these treatments. Following tumor diagnosis, the patient’s diet was switched from Ol’Roy dog food to raw vegetables with cooked fish. The tumor continued to grow on this diet until July, 2013 when the diet was switched to a carbohydrate free, raw calorie restricted ketogenic diet consisting mostly of chicken and oils. A dog food calculator was used to reduce calories to 60% (40% calorie restriction) of that consumed on the original diet. A total of 444 kilocalories were given twice/day at 12 h intervals with one medium-sized raw radish given as a treat between each meal.ResultsThe tumor grew to about 3–4 cm and invaded surrounding tissues while the patient was on the raw vegetable, cooked fish diet. The tumor gradually disappeared over a period of several months when the patient was switched to the carbohydrate free calorie restricted ketogenic diet. The patient lost 2.5 kg during the course of the calorie restriction and maintained an attentive and active behavior. The patient passed away without pain on June 4, 2019 (age 15 years) from failure to thrive due to an enlarged heart with no evidence of mast cell tumor recurrence.ConclusionThis is the first report of a malignant cutaneous mast cell tumor in a dog treated with KMT alone. The resolution of the tumor in this canine patient could have been due to the diet-induced energy stress and the restriction of glucose-driven aerobic fermentation that is essential for the growth of most malignant tumors. Further studies are needed to determine if this non-toxic dietary therapeutic strategy could be effective in managing other canine patients with malignant mast cell tumors.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1157517/fullketogenic dietcanineglucoseaerobic fermentationnutritioncalorie restriction |
| spellingShingle | Thomas N. Seyfried Purna Mukherjee Derek C. Lee Linh Ta Loren Nations Case report: Resolution of malignant canine mast cell tumor using ketogenic metabolic therapy alone Frontiers in Nutrition ketogenic diet canine glucose aerobic fermentation nutrition calorie restriction |
| title | Case report: Resolution of malignant canine mast cell tumor using ketogenic metabolic therapy alone |
| title_full | Case report: Resolution of malignant canine mast cell tumor using ketogenic metabolic therapy alone |
| title_fullStr | Case report: Resolution of malignant canine mast cell tumor using ketogenic metabolic therapy alone |
| title_full_unstemmed | Case report: Resolution of malignant canine mast cell tumor using ketogenic metabolic therapy alone |
| title_short | Case report: Resolution of malignant canine mast cell tumor using ketogenic metabolic therapy alone |
| title_sort | case report resolution of malignant canine mast cell tumor using ketogenic metabolic therapy alone |
| topic | ketogenic diet canine glucose aerobic fermentation nutrition calorie restriction |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1157517/full |
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