ABSTRACT
This prospective experimental simulation study evaluated the efficiency, ease of use (EOU) and cost of administering chemotherapy with two closed system transfer devices (CSTD, Equashield™ and PhaSeal® ) and no CSTD. Forty-six veterinary technicians (VT) working in oncology specialty practices were timed during chemotherapy administration simulated with water and a model canine limb 10 times with each system and with no CSTD. EOU and likelihood of recommending each system were rated by VT using visual analog scales. Costs were obtained from veterinary distributors. Administration was fastest with Equashield™ (P = 0.0003), but the difference was not enough to affect case flow. Equashield™ was easier to use than PhaSeal® or no CSTD (P = 0.002), however VT recommended both CSTD more strongly than no CSTD (P < 0.0001). Equashield™ cost less than PhaSeal® but was sold only in bulk quantities. CSTD did not decrease efficiency in administering chemotherapy and were readily accepted by VT.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage , Dog Diseases/drug therapy , Equipment Design/methods , Neoplasms/veterinary , Occupational Exposure/prevention & control , Safety Management/methods , Analysis of Variance , Animal Technicians/psychology , Animals , Attitude , Dogs , Equipment Design/psychology , Georgia , Humans , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Protective Devices , Syringes , Time , Visual Analog ScaleABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: ABT-751 is a novel orally available antimitotic agent that targets microtubule polymerization. This mechanism may suggest potential activity in canine lymphoma. OBJECTIVE: Determine a maximum tolerated dose for ABT-751, and assess long-term tolerability and activity in canine lymphoma. ANIMALS: Thirty dogs with newly diagnosed (n = 19) or relapsed (n = 11) non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. METHODS: Dogs (n = 11) were enrolled in a rapid dose escalation study to define the maximum tolerated dose. Upon definition of a maximally tolerated dose, a cohort expansion of 19 dogs allowed verification of long-term tolerability and assessment of activity. Study endpoints in the cohort expansion included chronic tolerability, response rate, response duration, and time to progression. Additional endpoints included serum pharmacokinetics, lymph node drug concentrations, and changes in circulating endothelial cells. RESULTS: The maximum tolerated dose of ABT-751 was 350 mg/m(2) PO q24h. Dose-limiting toxicities included vomiting and diarrhea, which resolved with a schedule adjustment to 350 mg/m(2) PO q48h. ABT-751 was consistently detected in lymphoma tissue samples from dogs treated at or above the maximum tolerated dose. In the cohort expansion, objective responses were seen in 3/15 (20%) dogs with a response duration ranging from 21 to 111 days. Decreases in circulating endothelial cells were seen in 10 dogs at day 7 (2 responding dogs and 8 nonresponding dogs). CONCLUSION: ABT-751 was well tolerated at 350 mg/m(2) PO q24h for 7 days and then q48h thereafter. Activity of ABT-751 suggested a rationale for additional studies of ABT-751 as part of a combination chemotherapy protocol for lymphoma or other canine cancers.