Prospective trial of metronomic chlorambucil chemotherapy in dogs with naturally occurring cancer

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the toxicoses and antitumor activity of metronomic chlorambucil at a dosage of 4 mg m(-2) daily in dogs with naturally occurring cancer. Thirty-six dogs were enrolled in the study. The protocol was well tolerated with no grade 3 or 4 toxicoses noted. Complete remission was achieved, and lasted over 35 weeks in three dogs (mast cell tumour, soft tissue sarcoma and thyroid carcinoma). Partial remission was noted in 1 dog with histiocytic sarcoma (39 weeks duration) for an overall remission rate of 11% (4 of 36). Stable disease was noted in 17 dogs (47%) with various other cancers. The median progression-free interval was 61 days, and the median survival time was 153 days. Chlorambucil given in a metronomic protocol showed antitumor activity in dogs with a variety of naturally occurring cancers.

Gallbladder lymphoma in a miniature dachshund

“…In general, lymphoma of B-cell origin shows a positive response to chemotherapy, compared with those of T-cell origin [4]. In the current case, we chose low dose chlorambucil chemotherapy that is considered a safe and effective treatment for dogs [12], because the dog’s general condition was poor. However, chemotherapy was not continued, because the patient experienced adverse side effects associated with the treatment.…”

Clinical Studies of Metronomic Chemotherapy in Dogs

“…In a recent study, chlorambucil was administered at a dose of 4 mg/m 2 daily in dogs with spontaneous cancer [ 54 ]. Of 36 cases, 58 % recorded an objective response, with an overall mean survival time of 153 days.…”

Canine Thyroid Tumors and Hyperthyroidism

“…In a retrospective study of dogs treated with either surgery alone or surgery in combination with chemotherapy using various combinations of carboplatin, cisplatin, gemcitabine, and doxorubicin, there was no difference in survival between the two groups, but the power to detect a difference was small (Nadeau and Kitchell, 2011). In a prospective trial evaluating metronomic chlorambucil chemotherapy in dogs with naturally occurring cancer, complete remission was documented in one dog with thyroid carcinoma and the duration of response was 114 weeks (Leach et al, 2011). The dosage of chlorambucil used in this study was 4 mg/m 2 daily.…”