Evaluation of lomustine as a rescue agent for cats with resistant lymphoma

This retrospective study evaluated the use of lomustine as a rescue agent for 39 cases of resistant feline lymphoma. Parameters assessed included lymphocyte cell size, number of previous chemotherapy drugs and number of previous chemotherapy protocols received, time from lymphoma diagnosis to initiation of lomustine therapy, body weight and anatomic location of lymphoma. Cell size, number of previous chemotherapy drugs, number of previous chemotherapy protocols and anatomic location were all significant prognostic factors for the progression-free interval. Twenty-one cats (54%) received more than one dose of lomustine. The overall median progression-free interval (MPFI) was 39 days (range 7-708 days). The MPFI for large versus small and intermediate cell lymphomas was 21 versus 169 days, respectively. The MPFI for gastrointestinal versus non-gastrointestinal lymphomas was 180 versus 25.5 days, respectively. Lomustine has an acceptable efficacy and safety for use as a rescue agent in feline lymphoma.