Lomustine and prednisone as a first-line treatment for dogs with multicentric lymphoma: 17 cases (2004-2005).
OBJECTIVE
To assess response rate, median duration of response, adverse effects, and prognostic factors associated with concurrent administration of lomustine and prednisone as a first-line treatment for dogs with multicentric lymphoma.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
17 dogs.


METHODS
Medical records were reviewed. Information obtained included signalment, physical examination findings, results of diagnostic testing, stage and substage, initial lomustine and prednisone dosages, and total number of lomustine doses administered.


RESULTS
Lomustine was administered at a median starting dosage of 67 mg/m(2), PO, every 21 days until 5 doses were given or disease progression was observed. Prednisone was administered at a median starting dosage of 1.8 mg/kg/d (0.82 mg/lb/d), PO, with dosage tapered during the first month of treatment. Six dogs had a complete response, and 3 had a partial response. Mean and median durations of response were 48.8 and 39.5 days, respectively. Median survival time was 111.2 days. In multivariate analyses, female sex and higher total lomustine dose were significantly associated with a longer disease-free inter-val. Neutropenia was the dose-limiting factor, with 4 dogs developing clinically important neutropenia 1 week after administration of a dose of lomustine.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that concurrent treatment with lomustine and prednisone was well tolerated in dogs with multicentric lymphoma, but findings did not support the use of this combination for first-line treatment of affected dogs.
Sauerbrey
Michele L
ML
Animal Cancer and Imaging Center, 8560 Canton Center Rd, Canton, MI 48187, USA.
Mullins
Marie N
MN
Bannink
Erin O
EO
Van Dorp
T E Renate
TE
Kaneene
John B
JB
Obradovich
Joyce E
JE
D000818:Animals; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D008130:Lomustine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000662:veterinary; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D008130:Lomustine; D011241:Prednisone