Chemotherapy of Canine Hemangiosarcoma With Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide

Abstract

Sixteen dogs with a histologic diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma were treated with surgery and doxorubicin/ cyclophosphamide. The patients' characteristics, ie, age, size, and breed, were similar to those of previous studies. Historic controls for surgery alone were used to evaluate efficacy of the chemotherapy. The results show a trend of improved survival in dogs with localized disease (Stage I) receiving combination therapy. The median survival was 250 days, with a mean of 403 days. The survival times for dogs with stage I, 11, and 111 disease was also improved with combination therapy, when compared to historical controls treated with surgery alone. The overall median survival was 202 days with a mean of 285 days. Toxicities included mild to moderate neutropenia (9 of 16) and clinical signs, such as lethargy, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever (13 of 16). Three dogs had severe neutropenia requiring hospitalization and supportive care. One dog died from sepsis and related complications. Chemotherapy with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide appears to improve survival with acceptable morbidity in patients with early stage disease.

Treatment with DAV for Advanced-Stage Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs

“…Doxorubicin and its analog epirubicin have been used: as single agents in the standard 3 wk protocol; in a dose-intense fashion (2 wk protocol); in combination with cyclophosphamide; or with cyclophosphamide and vincristine. [20][21][22][23][24][25][26] There have been no studies specifically evaluating the treatment of dogs with grossly metastatic HSA, a common presentation in the cases of HSA. 8,10,12 Nonresectable, primary, noncutaneous HSA appears to carry a negative prognosis for overall survival (OS), yet the use of chemotherapy or palliative radiation therapy has been largely unexplored.…”

Impact of Chemotherapeutic Dose Intensity and Hematologic Toxicity on First Remission Duration in Dogs with Lymphoma Treated with a Chemoradiotherapy Protocol

“…[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Where multiagent protocols have been used, there is often a lack of proven benefit over comparable single-agent protocols, a substantial increase in toxicity, or both. [17][18][19][20][21] The exception to this rule is found in the treatment of lymphoma, for which doxorubicin-based multiagent protocols provide the longest reported survival times in both cats and dogs. 5,6,22,23 Not surprisingly, this is also the single example of an animal cancer for which 3 drug classes (ie, vinca alkaloids, alkylating agents, anthracyclines) are known to have substantial activity as single agents.…”

Canine malignant hemangiosarcoma as a model of primitive angiogenic endothelium

“…Despite surgery and intensive chemotherapy, the median survival time for dogs diagnosed with HSA is little more than 6 months. [5][6][7][8] This naturally occurring disease of dogs resembles human angiosarcoma. Angiosarcomas are uncommon soft tissue sarcomas that can arise in a variety of locations, including liver, spleen, skin, breast, and endocrine organs.…”