Premium
Cytosine arabinoside in addition to VCAA‐based protocols for the treatment of canine lymphoma with bone marrow involvement: does it make the difference?
Author(s) -
Marconato L.,
Bonfanti U.,
Stefanello D.,
Lorenzo M. R.,
Romanelli G.,
Comazzi S.,
Zini E.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
veterinary and comparative oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.864
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1476-5829
pISSN - 1476-5810
DOI - 10.1111/j.1476-5829.2007.00141.x
Subject(s) - canine lymphoma , cytosine , lymphoma , bone marrow , medicine , cancer research , oncology , pathology , biology , dna , genetics
Cytosine arabinoside (ara‐C) is a component of many protocols for the treatment of acute leukaemia and non‐Hodgkin lymphomas in humans. The aim of the study was to prospectively evaluate the efficacy of ara‐C in a myeloablative regimen in a cohort of canine lymphomas with bone marrow involvement. Seventeen dogs were enrolled. Eight were treated with a VCAA‐based protocol (Group 1) and nine with the same regimen added with ara‐C (Group 2). Ara‐C was administered on a 5‐day schedule as an i.v. continuous infusion at the dose of 150 mg m −2 per day for five consecutive days. During treatment complete remission (CR) was achieved in two dogs in Group 1 and in eight dogs in Group 2. CR rate was significantly higher in Group 2 ( P < 0.01). Median survival was 72.5 days (range 6–174) in Group 1 and 243 days (range 73–635) in Group 2. Survival was significantly longer in Group 2 ( P < 0.001). Both protocols were well tolerated, with a low incidence of adverse events. Ara‐C added to a VCAA‐based protocol appears to be safe and beneficial in dogs with stage V lymphoma. Incorporation of the nucleoside analogue might be crucial for the development of future therapeutic strategies in dogs.