Systemic Taxotere Chemotherapy for Metastatic Tumor Pleurisy in Cats with Spontaneous Breast Cancer

Abstract

Systemic and intrapleural chemotherapy for metastatic tumor pleurisy was carried out in cats with breast carcinoma. The animals (n=18) were divided into 2 groups. Cats of the systemic chemotherapy group received 3-6 courses of taxotere (30 mg/m(2); n=7) or 3 courses of taxotere (20 mg/m(2)) in combination with doxorubicin (20 mg/m(2)at 21-day intervals (n=5) during the adjuvant period of therapy for metastatic tumor pleurisy. Objective effect was attained in 10 (84.6%) cats: partial remission in 3 (25%) and complete remission in 7 (58.3%, p>0.05) cats. Metastatic pleurisy progressed in 2 (16.7%) cats. The median time to progression reached 1.79 months, median lifespan 2.8 months. The animals of intrapleural chemotherapy group (n=6) received 1-4 courses of cyclophosphamide (250 mg/m(2)) at 1-week interval during the adjuvant period without therapy for malignant pleurisy. Malignant pleurisy progressed in all cats. The median time to progression was equal to median lifespan (0.6 months). The therapy for malignant pleurisy in cats with breast cancer is regarded as the second-line chemotherapy with taxotere preferable as a monotherapy or in combination with doxorubicin.

Evaluation of intracavitary carboplatin chemotherapy for treatment of pleural carcinomatosis in cats: a retrospective study of eight cases

“…To date, the only published article in cats dealing with IC gave a median survival time of 15 days in six cats presented with a diagnosis of pleural carcinomatosis of mammary origin and treated with cyclophosphamide. 18 In this same report, only 20% of cats survived at least 1 month after treatment, and none survived as long as 1.5 months. 18 Consequently, the results of our study are similar to those previously reported, with a mean survival time of 9.6 days and a median survival time of 8 days, and 0% of cats were alive 1 month after initiation of treatment.…”

“…18 In this same report, only 20% of cats survived at least 1 month after treatment, and none survived as long as 1.5 months. 18 Consequently, the results of our study are similar to those previously reported, with a mean survival time of 9.6 days and a median survival time of 8 days, and 0% of cats were alive 1 month after initiation of treatment. In human oncology, presence of malignant effusion is usually associated with a median survival that does not exceed 6–12 months, despite multiple treatment options.…”

“…Reports of IC are sparse in the veterinary literature. 7,15–18 The largest studies were first published in dogs with the use of cisplatin, carboplatin and/or mitoxantrone for cases of pleural or peritoneal carcinomatosis, sarcomatosis and mesothelioma. 7,15 Encouraging results were reported with complete resolution of malignant effusion in most dogs after 1–2 IC cycles, allowing extended progression-free survival (129 to >807 days) and median survival (332 days) compared with untreated dogs, with minimal toxicity.…”

“…16,17 Another publication discusses the use of IC with cyclophosphamide (1–4 cycles at 1 week intervals, dose of 250 mg/m 2 ) in six cats with pleural carcinomatosis secondary to mammary tumours. 18 None of the treated cats responded to IC, with persistent pleural effusion in all cats, and a median time to progression and survival time of 0.6 months.…”

“…Intracavitary chemotherapy (IC) has also been reported for the treatment of pleural and/or peritoneal carcinomatosis, sarcomatosis or mesothelioma in veterinary medicine. 7,15–18 Two cats were treated with intracavitary carboplatin chemotherapy for mesothelioma (one pleural and one peritoneal) with survival times of 4 months and 6 months, respectively. 16,17 Another publication discusses the use of IC with cyclophosphamide (1–4 cycles at 1 week intervals, dose of 250 mg/m 2 ) in six cats with pleural carcinomatosis secondary to mammary tumours.…”