Doxorubicin for treatment of histiocytic sarcoma in dogs: 31 cases (2003-2017)

To evaluate the efficacy of doxorubicin for treatment of histiocytic sarcoma (HS) in dogs, whether administered as the sole treatment or as an adjunct to surgery or radiation therapy.

31 client-owned dogs with localized or disseminated HS examined between 2003 and 2017.

Medical records were reviewed retrospectively, and data were collected. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate time-to-progression from the date of first doxorubicin administration and survival time from initial diagnosis. Factors that could be associated with poorer outcomes with doxorubicin treatment were analyzed with log-rank tests.

The objective response rate (ORR) was 26%. When stratified by disease status, dogs with localized and disseminated forms experienced 43% and 21% ORRs, respectively. Median time to progression after initiating doxorubicin treatment (n = 30 dogs) was 42 days. Median survival time from initial diagnosis to death (n = 29 dogs) was 169 days. Complete responses were obtained in only 2 dogs that had localized disease and received multimodality therapy.

Benefits of doxorubicin administration in canine HS are modest, with a limited ORR and delay in tumor progression, and are comparable to effects attained with other single-agent regimens.