Preclinical imaging and treatment of cancer: the use of animal models beyond rodents.

The development of novel radiopharmaceutical agents for imaging and therapy of neoplastic diseases relies on accurate and reproducible animal models. Rodent models are often used to demonstrate the proof-of-principle tracer and therapeutic agent development, but their small size can make tissue sampling challenging. The dosimetry of decay emissions in the much smaller rodent tumors do not model dosimetry in human tumors well. In addition, rodent models of cancer represent a simplified version of a very complex process. Spontaneous tumors are heterogenous and the response to intervention can be unpredictable; tumor cells can adopt alternate signaling pathways and modify their interaction with the microenvironment. These inconsistencies, while present in humans, are difficult to fully reproduce in a genetically-engineered rodent model. Companion animals, primarily dogs and cats, offer translational models that more accurately reflect the intricate nature of spontaneous neoplasia in humans. Their larger size facilitates tissue and blood sampling when needed, and allows radiopharmaceutical tracers to be studied on human-scale imaging systems to better mimic the clinical application of the agent. This article will review the growing body of literature surrounding the use of radiopharmaceutical agents for both imaging and therapy in companion dogs and cats. Previous investigations have been performed both for the advancement of routine, high-level veterinary care, and in the context of translational research from which the results of imaging and treatment can be readily applied to people. Studies utilizing the spontaneously occurring cancer model in companion animals involving positron emission tomography, radiotracers, dosimetry, theranostics, targeted radiopharmaceuticals, brachytherapy, and boron neutron capture therapy are discussed.

Pulse-Administered Toceranib Phosphate Plus Lomustine for Treatment of Unresectable Mast Cell Tumors in Dogs.

BACKGROUND: Nonresectable mast cell tumors (MCT) in dogs remain a therapeutic challenge, and investigation of novel combination therapies is warranted. Intermittent administration of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) combined with cytotoxic chemotherapy may effectively chemosensitize canine MCT while decreasing cost and adverse effects associated with either agent administered as monotherapy. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The primary study objectives were to (1) identify the maximally tolerated dose (MTD), (2) determine the objective response rate (ORR) and (3) describe the adverse event profile of pulse-administered toceranib phosphate (TOC) combined with lomustine. ANIMALS: Forty-seven client-owned dogs with measurable MCT. METHODS: Toceranib phosphate was given PO on days 1, 3 and 5 of a 21-day cycle at a target dosage of 2.75 mg/kg. Lomustine was given PO on day 3 of each cycle at a starting dosage of 50 mg/m(2) . All dogs were concurrently treated with diphenhydramine, omeprazole, and prednisone. RESULTS: The MTD of lomustine was established at 50 mg/m(2) when combined with pulse-administered TOC; the dose-limiting toxicity was neutropenia. Forty-one dogs treated at the MTD were evaluable for outcome assessment. The ORR was 46% (4 complete response, 15 partial response) and the overall median progression-free survival (PFS) was 53 days (1 to >752 days). On multivariate analysis, variables significantly associated with improved PFS included response to treatment, absence of metastasis, and no previous chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Combined treatment with pulse-administered TOC and lomustine generally is well tolerated and may be a reasonable treatment option for dogs with unresectable or metastatic MCT.