Response of canine cutaneous epitheliotropic lymphoma to lomustine (CCNU): a retrospective study of 46 cases (1999-2004).
BACKGROUND
Epitheliotropic lymphoma (ELSA) is an uncommon cutaneous canine malignancy of T lymphocytes. A consensus regarding the therapeutic standard of care is lacking, warranting evaluation of chemotherapeutic agents traditionally employed against canine nodal lymphoma in the treatment of ELSA.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this retrospective, multi-institutional study was to evaluate the efficacy of 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-l-nitrosourea (CCNU) in the treatment of ELSA.


METHODS
Forty-six dogs with adequate follow-up and treatment response information.


METHODS
All cases were diagnosed histopathologically. Immunohistochemisty (CD3, CD79a) was performed on 42/46 samples.


RESULTS
Presenting skin lesions included generalized scales (25/46), plaques or nodules (22/46), mucocutaneous lesions (14/ 46), and corneal involvement (1/46). Lymph node involvement and Sézary syndrome were documented in 7 and 2 dogs, respectively. The median number of CCNU treatments was 4 (range, 1-11), with a median starting dose of 60 mg/m(2) (range, 30-95). Of the 46 dogs, 15 achieved complete remission, 23 achieved partial remission, 5 had stable disease, and 3 had progressive disease, for an overall response rate of 83%. The median number of treatments to achieve a response was 1 (range, 1-6). The overall median duration of response was 94 days (range, 22-282). Sixteen dose reductions were required because of neutropenia (10/46), thrombocytopenia (1/46), anemia (1/46), increased liver enzyme activity (3/46), or unspecified reasons (1/46).


CONCLUSIONS
Given the high response rate and well tolerated protocol, prospective studies are warranted to investigate the utility of CCNU alone or in multi-agent protocols for the treatment of ELSA.
Risbon
R E
RE
Oncology Service at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, 197 Hance Avenue, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724 USA. rrisbon@yahoo.com
de Lorimier
L P
LP
Skorupski
K
K
Burgess
K E
KE
Bergman
P J
PJ
Carreras
J
J
Hahn
K
K
Leblanc
A
A
Turek
M
M
Impellizeri
J
J
Fred
R
R
Wojcieszyn
J W
JW
Drobatz
K
K
Clifford
C A
CA
D000818:Animals; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D008130:Lomustine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009182:Mycosis Fungoides / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D008130:Lomustine