How chemo dose and side effects affect lymphoma remission in dogs

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dose intensity has proven to be critical in maximizing chemotherapeutic efficacy for numerous human cancers. To date, the impact of dose intensity and toxicity on first remission duration has not been thoroughly assessed in dogs with lymphoma. HYPOTHESIS: Dogs that receive maximal dose intensity will have prolonged first remission duration. ANIMALS: Sixty-two dogs with lymphoma that were treated according to a standardized chemoradiotherapy regimen and achieved durable complete remissions were identified from the medical records database of North Carolina State University. METHODS: Dosage reductions and treatment delays resulting from chemotherapy-related neutropenia were evaluated retrospectively, and each patient's actual summation dose intensity and frequency of myelotoxicity were calculated. Impact of dose intensity and frequency of neutropenia on first remission duration were evaluated by Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: Development of grade III or IV neutropenia during chemotherapy was found to be associated with prolonged first remission duration (P < .01). Dose intensity did not have a significant impact on remission duration (P = .07). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Results of this study suggest that dosage reductions and treatment delays instituted to avoid repeated neutropenic episodes do not reduce first remission duration. Prolonged remission duration in patients that developed grade III or IV neutropenic episodes indicates the need for further optimization of dosing strategies for canine lymphoma patients undergoing chemotherapy.