Doxorubicin for treatment of histiocytic sarcoma in dogs: 31 cases (2003–2017)

Abstract

Abstract OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of doxorubicin for treatment of histiocytic sarcoma (HS) in dogs, whether administered as the sole treatment or as an adjunct to surgery or radiation therapy. ANIMALS 31 client-owned dogs with localized or disseminated HS examined between 2003 and 2017. PROCEDURES Medical records were reviewed retrospectively, and data were collected. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate time-to-progression from the date of first doxorubicin administration and survival time from initial diagnosis. Factors that could be associated with poorer outcomes with doxorubicin treatment were analyzed with log-rank tests. RESULTS The objective response rate (ORR) was 26%. When stratified by disease status, dogs with localized and disseminated forms experienced 43% and 21% ORRs, respectively. Median time to progression after initiating doxorubicin treatment (n = 30 dogs) was 42 days. Median survival time from initial diagnosis to death (n = 29 dogs) was 169 days. Complete responses were obtained in only 2 dogs that had localized disease and received multimodality therapy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Benefits of doxorubicin administration in canine HS are modest, with a limited ORR and delay in tumor progression, and are comparable to effects attained with other single-agent regimens.