Feline high‐grade and large granular lymphocyte alimentary lymphomas treated with COP‐ or CHOP‐based chemotherapy: A multi‐centric retrospective study of 57 cases

Abstract

AbstractSpecific data regarding outcome of cats with high‐grade and large granular lymphocyte alimentary lymphoma (HGAL and LGL, respectively) treated with multi‐agent chemotherapy are scarce. The aims of this multi‐centric, retrospective study were to describe the outcome of cats with HGAL and LGL treated with COP‐ or CHOP‐based chemotherapy and to identify potential prognostic factors. Cats with a cytological or histological diagnosis of HGAL or LGL lymphoma treated with COP‐ or CHOP‐based protocol as first‐line chemotherapy were included. Data regarding diagnosis, staging, treatment and follow‐up were collected. Fifty‐seven cats treated with CHOP (n = 37) or COP (n = 20) protocols were included. Complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD) were observed in 20%, 22%, 36% and 22% of cats, respectively, for an overall response rate of 42%. Median progression‐free interval (PFI) was 148 days and overall median survival time (OST) was 131 days. Cats achieving CR, PR or SD showed significantly longer PFI (p < .01) and OST (p < .015) compared with cats with PD. Other positive prognostic factors in multi‐variate analysis were rescue treatment (p < .001) and absence of lymph node involvement (p < .03). Negative prognostic factors were diffuse infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract (p = .035) and infiltration of a non‐haematopoietic organ (p < .01).