Evaluation of piroxicam for the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use of piroxicam for the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma in dogs.


METHODS
Prospective case series.


METHODS
17 dogs with measurable oral squamous cell carcinoma.


METHODS
Dogs were treated with piroxicam at a dosage of 0.3 mg/kg (0.14 mg/lb) of body weight, PO, every 24 hours until progressive disease or unacceptable signs of toxicosis developed or the dog died.


RESULTS
One dog had a complete remission (maxillary tumor), and 2 dogs had partial remissions (lingual tumor and tonsillar tumor). An additional 5 dogs had stable disease, including 1 with a maxillary tumor, 2 with mandibular tumors, and 2 with tonsillar tumors. Variables associated with tumor response were not identified. Median and mean times to failure for the 3 dogs that had a remission were 180 and 223 days, respectively. Median and mean times to failure for the 5 dogs with stable disease were 102 and 223 days, respectively. Time to failure was positively associated with tumor response and negatively associated with tumor size. One dog had mild adverse gastrointestinal tract effects that resolved with the addition of misoprostol to the treatment regimen.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that piroxicam may be useful in the treatment of dogs with oral squamous cell carcinoma; response rate was similar to that reported for other cytotoxic treatments. Larger-scale studies are warranted to determine what role piroxicam may have, alone or in combination with other treatments, for the treatment of dogs with oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Schmidt
B R
BR
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
Glickman
N W
NW
DeNicola
D B
DB
de Gortari
A E
AE
Knapp
D W
DW
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004341:Drug Evaluation / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D010894:Piroxicam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D010894:Piroxicam