title: Cytosine arabinoside in addition to VCAA-based protocols for the treatment of canine lymphoma with bone marrow involvement: does it make the difference?
abstract: Cytosine arabinoside (ara-C) is a component of many protocols for the treatment of acute leukaemia and non-Hodgkin lymphomas in humans. The aim of the study was to prospectively evaluate the efficacy of ara-C in a myeloablative regimen in a cohort of canine lymphomas with bone marrow involvement. Seventeen dogs were enrolled. Eight were treated with a VCAA-based protocol (Group 1) and nine with the same regimen added with ara-C (Group 2). Ara-C was administered on a 5-day schedule as an i.v. continuous infusion at the dose of 150 mg m(-2) per day for five consecutive days. During treatment complete remission (CR) was achieved in two dogs in Group 1 and in eight dogs in Group 2. CR rate was significantly higher in Group 2 (P < 0.01). Median survival was 72.5 days (range 6-174) in Group 1 and 243 days (range 73-635) in Group 2. Survival was significantly longer in Group 2 (P < 0.001). Both protocols were well tolerated, with a low incidence of adverse events. Ara-C added to a VCAA-based protocol appears to be safe and beneficial in dogs with stage V lymphoma. Incorporation of the nucleoside analogue might be crucial for the development of future therapeutic strategies in dogs.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Veterinaria L'Arca, Naples, Italy. lauramarconato@yahoo.it
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marconato
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bonfanti
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stefanello
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Lorenzo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Romanelli
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Comazzi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D001215:Asparaginase; D019046:Bone Marrow Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D004285:Dogs; D004317:Doxorubicin; D005260:Female; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000662:veterinary; D012074:Remission Induction / Q000379:methods; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014750:Vincristine
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D003561:Cytarabine; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D001215:Asparaginase