CCNU for the treatment of dogs with histiocytic sarcoma.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Histiocytic sarcoma is an aggressive neoplasm of dendritic cells that carries a grave prognosis. The efficacy of chemotherapy against this disease is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) in dogs with incompletely resected or metastatic histiocytic sarcoma, to describe the clinical characteristics of these dogs, and to identify factors affecting prognosis.

HYPOTHESIS:

Our hypothesis is that CCNU has activity against canine histiocytic sarcoma and can improve survival in dogs with advanced disease.

ANIMALS:

Included in analysis are dogs diagnosed with histiocytic sarcoma who had gross measurable or residual microscopic disease and who received CCNU.

METHODS:

A multi-institutional, retrospective, single-arm cohort study was conducted. Available biopsy samples were tested with an antibody against CD18 when possible to confirm the diagnosis of histiocytic sarcoma.

RESULTS:

Fifty-nine dogs were treated at 8 institutions. Twenty-three tumor specimens were confirmed to be CD18 positive. Treatment with CCNU at 60 to 90 mg/m2 resulted in an overall response rate of 46% in the 56 dogs with gross measurable disease. All 3 dogs with minimal residual disease experienced tumor relapse but lived 433 days or more after starting CCNU. The median survival of all 59 dogs was 106 days. Thrombocytopenia (< 100,000 platelets/microL) and hypoalbuminemia were found to be negatively associated with prognosis and were predictive of < 1 month survival.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE:

Results suggest that CCNU is active against canine histiocytic sarcoma and may be useful in the treatment of dogs without negative prognostic factors.

• Authors: Katherine A Skorupski, Craig A Clifford, Melissa C Paoloni, Ana Lara-Garcia, Lisa Barber, Michael S Kent, Amy K LeBlanc, Aarti Sabhlok, Elizabeth A Mauldin, Frances S Shofer, C Guillermo Couto, Karin U Sørenmo
• Journal: Journal of veterinary internal medicine (J Vet Intern Med) 2007 Jan-Feb Vol. 21 Issue 1 Pg. 121-6 ISSN: 0891-6640 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17338159 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Lomustine

Topics

• Animals
• Antineoplastic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Cohort Studies
• Dog Diseases (drug therapy)
• Dogs
• Female
• Lomustine (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Retrospective Studies
• Sarcoma (veterinary)