A Combination Chemotherapy Protocol with Dose Intensification and Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant (VELCAP-HDC) for Canine Lymphoma

Twenty-eight dogs with lymphoma were treated with a 12-week, 5-drug chemotherapy protocol concluding with high-dose cyclophosphamide supported by autologous bone marrow transplants. A dose escalation design was used to determine the maximum tolerated cyclophosphamide dose (MTD) in this setting. Three cyclophosphamide dose levels were given: 300 mg/ m2 IV (group1, 3 dogs), 400 mg/m2 IV (group 2, 12 dogs), and 500 mg/m2 IV (group 3, 13 dogs); and the MTD was 500 mg/m2 IV. Toxicity was common but mild, and the dose-limiting toxicity was myelosuppression, specifically neutropenia. No dog died as a result of treatment-related toxicity. One dog in group 3 developed fever, neutropenia, and presumed sepsis and responded promptly to routine management. No other dog required hospitalization. Lower stage and higher cyclophosphamide dose (both increasing dose [study groups 1–3], and the highest dose [group 3]) compared with the lower doses combined (groups 1 and 2) were significantly associated with longer remission duration (all P <.0001). Median remission duration for dogs in group 3 was 54 weeks, compared with 21 weeks for dogs in groups 1 and 2 combined. Factors associated with longer survival time were lower stage (P=.042) and higher cyclophosphamide dose (both increasing dose [study groups 1–3], and the highest dose [group 3] compared with the lower doses combined [groups 1 and 2]) (P=.027). Median survival time for dogs in group 3 was 139 weeks, compared with 43 weeks and 68 weeks for dogs in groups 1 and 2, respectively.