New FDA Drug Conditionally
Approved Medication For The
Treatment Of Dogs With Lymphoma!
By: Francisco Alvarez-Berger, DVM, DACVIM - Coral Springs Animal Hospital Board
Certified Oncologist
Lymphoma is one of the most common tumors in dogs.
Chemotherapy using a CHOP-based protocol (vincristine,
cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and prednisone) is the
treatment of choice for dogs with lymphoma. The overall
response rate to chemotherapy is usually above 85%, however
the majority of dogs eventually relapse approximately 6 to 9
months and a reinduction protocol is needed to maintain control
of the disease. Ultimately, the lymphoma will develop resistance
to the medications and the tumor will become unresponsive.
Approximately 50% of dogs with lymphoma treated with
chemotherapy live more than 9 to 12 months and about 20 % of
dogs live more than two years. There is a major need for new drugs to improve the duration
of survival of dogs with lymphoma, especially for those who have failed first-line induction
protocols.
Rabacfosadine (Tanovea-CA1) is a new chemotherapeutic agent conditionally approved by
FDA for the treatment of dogs with lymphoma. This drug accumulates mainly in lymphoid
cells and inhibits the proliferation of lymphoma cells by inhibiting DNA synthesis.
Rabacfosadine is administered intravenously every 3 weeks and generally is well tolerated.
Commonly observed adverse events include gastrointestinal toxicity and myelosuppression
that most resolve spontaneously, or with basic supportive therapy. Less frequent severe
reactions can occur such as rare delayed pulmonary fibrosis. This medication is
contraindicated in West Highland White Terriers due to a genetic predisposition for
development of pulmonary fibrosis.
Rabacfosadine can be used in dogs with newly diagnosed and relapsed lymphoma and has
a reasonable expectation of effectiveness; previous clinical studies have shown an overall
remission rate of 77% with a median progression-free survival time of 134 days in
responding dogs.
Rabacfosadine is a new drug that has a good expectation to improve the survival time,
maintaining a good quality of life, of dogs with lymphoma.
Please contact us if you have any questions about this new treatment option for dogs with
lymphoma or any other questions about your patients.
Fransico Alvarez-Berger DVM, DACVIM -Oncology is available
Mondays through Thursdays. Please call (954) 753-1800 with
questions or to refer a patient.