title: Use of imiquimod 5% cream (Aldara) in cats with multicentric squamous cell carcinoma in situ: 12 cases (2002-2005).
abstract: Multicentric squamous cell carcinoma in situ (MSCCIS) is a variant of squamous cell carcinoma in cats, commonly referred to as Bowen's-like disease. Imiquimod 5% cream (Aldara) is a novel immune response modifier (IRM) that has been reported as a successful treatment for Bowen's disease in humans. The purpose of this study was to describe clinical findings, treatment protocols and survival in cats with MSCCIS treated with imiquimod 5% cream and to examine the effects of imiquimod 5% cream in cats with MSCCIS. The expression of papillomavirus group-specific antigen in the study population was also determined. From review of medical records, 12 cats were identified with a histologic diagnosis of MSCCIS and treatment with imiquimod 5% cream. Initial lesions responded to imiquimod 5% cream in all cats. Most cats (75%) developed new lesions. New lesions also responded to imiquimod 5% cream in all cats treated. Five cats (41%) had side effects suspected to be associated with the use of imiquimod 5% cream, including local erythema (25%), increased liver enzymes and neutropenia (8%), and partial anorexia and vomiting (8%). Kaplan-Meier median treatment duration and median survival time probabilities for cats in this study were 1189 days, respectively. A time to failure model was generated as many cats were censored from analysis well before the aforementioned projected median. This model resulted in a shorter median survival time of 243 days. No patient-related, tumour-related or treatment-related prognostic variables were identified. No expression for papilloma group-specific antigen was found. Imiquimod 5% cream appears to be well tolerated in the majority of cats, and further studies are warranted to further examine its usefulness in cats with this disease.
authors.affiliation: Donaldson-Atwood Cancer Clinic, The Animal Medical Center, New York, NY 10021, USA. virginia.gill@amcny.org
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Bergman
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Baer
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Craft
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Leung
mesh_terms: D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001913:Bowen's Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D000077271:Imiquimod; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077271:Imiquimod