Treatment Options for Melanoma of Gray Horses

Robert J MacKay

doi:10.1016/j.cveq.2019.04.003

Treatment Options for Melanoma of Gray Horses

Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 2019 Aug;35(2):311-325. doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2019.04.003.

Author

Robert J MacKay¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida, PO Box 100136, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA. Electronic address: mackayr@ufl.edu.

PMID: 31279435
DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2019.04.003

Abstract

All gray horses inherited a single gene mutation, STX17^G, that unbalances melanocyte behavior to cause graying and propensities to develop vitiligo and melanoma. The coat color genes ASIP^a and MC1R^E add risk such that relative likelihood of melanoma based on pregraying coat color is black > bay > chestnut. Melanomas begin at about 4 years. Locoregional control of melanoma masses depends on surgical removal and/or intralesional chemotherapy (possibly with adjunctive hyperthermia or electroporation). Systemic treatment is not evidence based but immunomodulators (cimetidine, levamisole) and vaccines can be tried.

Keywords: Gray horse; Immunotherapy; Melanoma; Treatment; Vaccine.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Hair Color / genetics
Horse Diseases / genetics
Horse Diseases / therapy*
Horses
Melanoma / genetics
Melanoma / therapy
Melanoma / veterinary*