A combination chemotherapy protocol with MOPP and CCNU consolidation (Tufts VELCAP-SC) for the treatment of canine lymphoma

• Published in: Veterinary & comparative oncology 2003-12, Vol.1 (4), p.180-190
• Main Authors: Morrison-Collister, K. E., Rassnick, K. M., Northrup, N. C., Kristal, O., Chretin, J. D., Williams, L. E., Cotter, S. M., Moore, A. S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: alkylating agents; cancer; dog
• ISSN: 1476-5810; 1476-5829
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5810.2003.00027.x

A chemotherapy protocol using a consolidation phase of alkylating agents was used for treating 94 dogs with lymphoma. Fifty‐seven percent of dogs were in stage V, 63% were ill and 38% had T‐cell lymphoma. The complete remission (CR) rate was 70% and is comparable to results achieved with previously published chemotherapy protocols. Anorexia predicted the remission; of the 40 dogs without anorexia, 35 (88%) achieved CR whereas of 52 dogs with anorexia, 30 (58%) achieved CR. Median first CR duration was 168 days and 1‐ and 2‐year CR rates were 17.4 and 15.5%, respectively. Platelet count affected length of first CR, with a 53.2% reduced chance of coming out of remission with each log increase in platelet count. Median survival time was 302 days. One and 2‐year survival rates were 44 and 13%, respectively. Anorexia and no dose reduction of any drug were independent negative variables. Of 93 dogs with toxicity data, 65 dogs (70%) required a dose reduction. Cyclophosphamide was most commonly reduced with reductions in 31 (38%) of 82 dogs. A dose reduction was significantly more likely in dogs with B‐cell lymphoma than in those with T‐cell lymphoma.