title: Comparison of 3 protocols for treatment after induction of remission in dogs with lymphoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The optimal treatment after inducing complete remission (CR) in dogs with lymphoma has not been established.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  After inducing CR with L-asparaginase, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, prednisone (L-CHOP); consolidation with either half-body radiation therapy (HBRT); or lomustine (CCNU) and mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone (MOPP) would improve first remission duration compared with continuing a CHOP-based protocol for an additional 4 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs with stage III-V lymphoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective clinical trial in which dogs initially were treated with an 8-week induction protocol that consisted of L-CHOP. Dogs in CR after induction were then allocated to 1 of 2 consolidation arms. A chemotherapy consolidation arm consisted of 2 treatments with CCNU and 1 cycle of MOPP. A HBRT arm consisted of 2 sequential 8.0-Gy fractions to the cranial and caudal half-body separated by 30 days. Vincristine was given between fractions. Results of the consolidation arms also were compared with a historical group treated with the same 8-week induction protocol followed by CHOP therapy until week 24.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 67% of the dogs were in CR after 8 weeks of induction chemotherapy and were compared. Fifty-two dogs were in the historical arm, 23 in the CCNU/MOPP arm, and 27 in the HBRT arm. No difference in first remission duration was found among groups. Median first remission duration for the historical, CCNU/MOPP, and HBRT arms were 307, 274, and 209 days, respectively (P = .28). Overall second CR rate was 82% and was not different among groups (all P > or = .58). Overall remission duration (P = .28) and survival time (P = .48) were not different among groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Consolidation with either CCNU/MOPP or HBRT showed no advantage over a standard CHOP-based protocol.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Box 31, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. kmr32@cornell.edu
authors.forename: Kenneth M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Rassnick
authors.forename: Margaret C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: McEntee
authors.forename: Hollis N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Erb
authors.forename: Blaise P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: Cheryl E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Balkman
authors.forename: Andrea B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Flory
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kiselow
authors.forename: Karoliina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Autio
authors.forename: Tracy L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Gieger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D012074:Remission Induction
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents