A randomized controlled study into the efficacy and toxicity of pegylated liposome encapsulated doxorubicin as an adjuvant therapy in dogs with splenic haemangiosarcoma.

Author(s): Teske E, Rutteman GR, Kirpenstein J, Hirschberger J

Affiliation(s): Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands Clinic of Small Animal Medicine, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.

Publication date & source: 2011-12, Vet Comp Oncol., 9(4):283-9. Epub 2011 Apr 18.

Safety and efficacy of pegylated liposome encapsulated doxorubicin (PL-DOX) was compared with free doxorubicin as an adjuvant monotherapy in dogs with splenic haemangiosarcoma after splenectomy in a randomized prospective clinical trial. A total of 17 dogs in each group were treated. No significant difference in survival between the two treatments was found. The calculated median overall survival time for the 34 dogs was 166 days [95% confidence interval (CI) 148-184]. The (1/2) year and one-year survival was 41.2% (95% CI 24.8-56.9) and 22.7% (95% CI 9.9-37.4), respectively. In dogs treated with PL-DOX, a desquamating dermatitis like palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPES) was seen in two dogs, while three other dogs showed anaphylactic reactions. Cardiotoxicity was not seen in either treatment groups. (c) 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.