Intracavitary treatment of soft tissue sarcomas in dogs using cisplatin in a biodegradable polymer.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and efficacy against local disease recurrence of soft tissue sarcomas (STS) in dogs using intracavitary cisplatin released from a polymer device (OPLA-Pt). MATERIALS AND METHODS: OPLA-Pt was placed into the wound following marginal (histologically incomplete) resection of STS in 30 dogs (32 tumors) with a median tumor diameter of 3 cm (range = 1-14 cm). Median cisplatin dose was 35.5 mg/m2 (body surface area) with a range of 5.3-133.3 mg/m2. RESULTS: The OPLA-Pt was removed from 9/32 (28%) sites due to local wound complication. Local recurrence occurred in 10/32 (31%) tumors. Higher tumor grade had a significant negative influence on local tumor recurrence (p = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of recurrence appeared to be similar using intracavitary cisplatin compared to previous reports of STS treated by marginal surgery followed by radiotherapy. The complication rate indicates the need for further refinement of the polymer/cisplatin system.