Doxorubicin and deracoxib adjuvant therapy for canine splenic hemangiosarcoma: a pilot study.

Canine hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a highly malignant tumor for which standard chemotherapy has done little to substantially improve survival. Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) plays a role in the formation, growth, and metastasis of tumors and inhibitors have demonstrated therapeutic benefit with certain canine cancers. In this prospective study, 21 dogs received adjuvant therapy combining the selective Cox-2 inhibitor deracoxib with doxorubicin, following splenectomy for HSA. The combination was well-tolerated with only low-grade gastrointestinal and hematologic toxicities noted. An overall median survival of 150 days (range; 21 to 1506 days) was noted. Although there was no significant difference in survival based upon stage of disease, dogs with stage III HSA (n = 11) had a median survival of 149 days, which appears to be longer than previously reported. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the potential benefit of Cox-2 inhibitors in the treatment of canine HSA.

Traitement adjuvant à la doxorubicine et au déracoxib pour l'angiosarcome splénique canin : étude pilote. L'angiosarcome canin est une tumeur hautement maligne pour laquelle la chimiothérapie standard a peu fait pour améliorer substantiellement la survie. La cyclooxygénase-2 (Cox-2) joue un rôle dans la formation, la croissance et la métastase des tumeurs et des inhibiteurs ont démontré des bienfaits thérapeutiques pour certains cancers canins. Dans cette étude prospective, 21 chiens ont reçu un traitement adjuvant combinant l'inhibiteur de la Cox-2 sélectif déracoxib avec la doxorubicine, après la splénectomie pour l'angiosarcome. La combinaison a été bien tolérée et seulement des toxicités gastro-intestinales et hématologiques de faible intensité ont été signalées. Une survie médiane globale de 150 jours (écart de 21 à 1506 jours) a été signalée. Même s'il n'y a pas eu de différence significative dans la survie si l'on se base sur le stade de la maladie, les chiens avec un angiosarcome de stade III (n = 11) ont eu une survie médiane de 149 jours, ce qui semble plus long que ce qui avait déjà été signalé. De nouvelles études sont justifiées afin d'évaluer le bienfait potentiel des inhibiteurs de la Cox-2 pour le traitement de l'angiosarcome canin.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin (Doxil) and doxorubicin in the treatment of vaccine-associated sarcoma in cats.

The purpose of this randomized, multicenter study was to evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin (LED) and doxorubicin (DOX) in the treatment of feline vaccine-associated sarcoma (VAS). Cats were divided according to their disease status into a microscopic arm (no evidence of gross disease) and a macroscopic arm (evidence of gross disease). Each arm was randomized to receive either LED (1-1.5 mg/kg i.v. q3 weeks) or DOX (1 mg/kg i.v. q3 weeks). Thirty-three cats were entered in the macroscopic arm of the study with an overall response rate of 39% (5 complete response and 8 partial response) and a median time to progression of 84 days. Response rates were not different between LED and DOX. Seventy-five cats were entered into the microscopic arm. When compared to a similar historical control population treated with surgery alone, the cats receiving chemotherapy had a prolonged median disease-free interval (388 days versus 93 days). No difference in efficacy was detected between LED and DOX. LED at 1.5 mg/kg induced delayed nephrotoxicosis in 23%, necessitating a decrease in the recommended dosage to 1 mg/kg, and cutaneous toxicosis in 21.7% of treated cats. This study showed that both DOX and LED are efficacious in the treatment of VAS and should be considered in the treatment of this tumor.

STEALTH liposome-encapsulated cisplatin (SPI-77) versus carboplatin as adjuvant therapy for spontaneously arising osteosarcoma (OSA) in the dog: a randomized multicenter clinical trial.

PURPOSE: This trial was designed to compare the efficacy of adjuvant STEALH liposome-encapsulated cisplatin (SPI-77) to "standard-of-care" carboplatin therapy in dogs with osteosarcoma (OSA) in the context of a randomized study design. METHODS: The study included 40 pet dogs with spontaneously arising OSA which were randomized to receive SPI-77 (350 mg/m(2) i.v. every 3 weeks for four treatments) or carboplatin (300 mg/m(2) i.v. every 3 weeks for four treatments) along with amputation of the affected limb. Median disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared using standard life-table analysis. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 693 days (range 321-730 days). Of 38 dogs eligible for follow-up, 25 were dead of their disease, 9 were alive and disease-free (8 receiving SPI-77, 1 receiving carboplatin; P=0.02), 2 were free of disease when they were lost to follow-up at 321 and 395 days, and 2 had died of an unrelated disease. The median DFS times for dogs treated with SPI-77 and carboplatin were 156 and 123 days, respectively ( P=0.19). The median OS times for dogs treated with SPI-77 and carboplatin were 333 and 207 days, respectively ( P=0.18). CONCLUSIONS: While STEALTH liposome encapsulation of cisplatin allowed the safe administration of five times the maximally tolerated dose of free cisplatin to dogs without concurrent hydration protocols, this did not translate into significantly prolonged DFS or OS. However, a larger proportion of dogs receiving SPI-77 enjoyed long-term DFS when compared with dogs receiving carboplatin.