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Updated: May 9, 2026
Chemotherapy-induced Vascular Toxicity - Real-time In vivo Imaging of Vessel Impairment
Published on: January 7, 2015
Phase I dose escalation of doxorubicin chemotherapy in tumor-bearing equidae
A P Théon1, N Pusterla, K G Magdesian
1Departments of Surgery and Radiology, University of California, Davis, CA.
Background:
There is no information on the use of doxorubicin in horses with tumors.
Objective:
To determine dose-limiting toxicosis (DLT) and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of doxorubicin in tumor-bearing horses.
Animals:
Seventeen horses with 34 localized or multicentric advanced tumors.
Methods:
Two-stage dose-ranging design involving intrapatient and interpatient dose escalation. Treatment protocol included 6 treatment cycles given at 3-week intervals with dosages ranging from 40 to 85 mg/m(2). Clinical signs, hematologic, and nonhematologic changes were evaluated.
Results:
Total doses ranged from 1,127 to 2,900 mg in 12 horses that completed the assigned treatment protocols. The MTD was 75 mg/m(2). Hypersensitivity reactions and neutropenia were dose limiting. Hypersensitivity was dose-dependent but schedule invariant. Neutropenia was dose- and cycle-dependent but dose-escalation schedule invariant. Cardiotoxicity was not observed.
Conclusion And Clinical Relevance:
The recommended dosage of doxorubicin to treat horses is 70 mg/m(2) given at 3-week intervals as single agent. Adjunctive treatment with antihistamines and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is recommended to control hypersensitivity.
