Actinomycin D as rescue therapy in dogs with relapsed or resistant lymphoma: 49 cases (1999--2006).

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate response rate and disease-free interval in dogs with relapsed or resistant lymphoma treated with actinomycin D, determine hematologic toxicoses, and identify prognostic factors associated with response to treatment.

DESIGN:

Retrospective case series.

ANIMALS:

49 dogs with relapsed or resistant lymphoma.

PROCEDURES:

Medical records were reviewed for information regarding signalment, physical examination findings, results of diagnostic testing, substage, previous chemotherapy, previous treatment with prednisone, actinomycin D dosage, number of doses administered, response, disease-free interval, and results of CBCs performed after treatment.

RESULTS:

Actinomycin D was administered at a median dosage of 0.68 mg/m2 (range, 0.46 to 0.72 mg/m2), IV, every 3 weeks for 5 treatments or until disease progression. Twenty-six (53%) dogs received prednisone concurrently. Twenty (41%) dogs had a complete remission, and median disease-free interval in these dogs was 129 days. Thrombocytopenia was the most common hematologic toxicosis (n = 22 [45%]). Concurrent prednisone administration, a shorter duration of first remission, and an increased number of previous chemotherapy agents were significantly associated with a lower likelihood of responding to actinomycin D treatment. Concurrent prednisone administration and an increased number of previous chemotherapy agents were significantly associated with a shorter disease-free interval.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE:

Results suggested that administration of actinomycin D as a single agent was effective for rescue chemotherapy of dogs with relapsed or resistant lymphoma and that treatment was well tolerated, although mild thrombocytopenia developed commonly.

• Authors: Erin O Bannink, Michele L Sauerbrey, Marie N Mullins, Joe G Hauptman, Joyce E Obradovich
• Journal: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (J Am Vet Med Assoc) Vol. 233 Issue 3 Pg. 446-51 (Aug 01 2008) ISSN: 0003-1488 [Print] United States
• PMID: 18673031 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
• Dactinomycin
• Prednisone

Topics

• Animals
• Antibiotics, Antineoplastic (therapeutic use)
• Dactinomycin (therapeutic use)
• Disease-Free Survival
• Dog Diseases (drug therapy, mortality)
• Dogs
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Female
• Lymphoma (drug therapy, mortality, veterinary)
• Male
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
• Prednisone (therapeutic use)
• Prognosis
• Remission Induction
• Retrospective Studies
• Thrombocytopenia (epidemiology, veterinary)
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome