Fuzapladib in a randomized controlled multicenter masked study in dogs with presumptive acute onset pancreatitis

BACKGROUND: Currently, no specific treatment is available for acute onset pancreatitis (AP), and management relies on symptomatic and supportive standard of care (SOC). Fuzapladib is a novel leukocyte function‐associated antigen type‐1 (LFA‐1) activation inhibitor, blocking activation and subsequent adhesion and migration of neutrophils, potentially decreasing the risk of pancreatitis progression and systemic inflammation. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the safety and clinical response of dogs with AP after 3 days of administration of fuzapladib. ANIMALS: Sixty‐one client‐owned dogs with presumptive AP. METHODS: Randomized, masked, and placebo controlled multicenter study. Sixty‐one dogs with AP were included for safety assessment, whereas 35 evaluable cases (fuzapladib, n = 16; placebo, n = 19) were included for clinical evaluation. Clinical improvement was assessed based on the change in the modified clinical activity index (MCAI) score on Day 3 compared to Day 0. Secondary variables included canine acute pancreatitis clinical severity index (CAPCSI) scores and serum concentrations of canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity, cytokines, and C‐reactive protein. RESULTS: Fuzapladib was well tolerated by all treated dogs. Mean change in MCAI scores was significantly higher in the fuzapladib‐treated (−7.75) than the placebo group (−5.68; P = .02, 95% confidence interval [CI] for the difference, −4.33, −0.35), suggesting clinical improvement in fuzapladib‐treated dogs. No significant difference was found in any of the secondary variables between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Administration of fuzapladib to dogs was safe, and a favorable response was detected in 2 clinical activity scores. Effects of fuzapladib on survival and duration of hospitalization were not studied.