Association between cigarette smoke exposure and urinary bladder cancer in Scottish terriers in a cohort study.

Canine urothelial carcinoma (UC) initially responds favorably to treatment, but is ultimately lethal in most cases. Research to identify modifiable risk factors to prevent the cancer is essential. The high breed-associated risk for UC, e.g. 20-fold higher in Scottish terriers, can facilitate this research. The objective was to identify environmental and host factors associated with UC in a cohort of Scottish terriers. Information was obtained through dog owner questionnaires for 120 Scottish terriers ≥ 6 years old participating in a bladder cancer screening study, with comparisons made between dogs that did or did not develop UC during the 3 years of screening. Univariable models were constructed, and variables with P < 0.20 were included when building the multivariable model, and then removed using a backward stepwise procedure. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Urine cotinine concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to further investigate potential cigarette smoke exposure. Biopsy-confirmed UC which was found in 32 of 120 dogs, was significantly associated with the dogs living in a household with cigarette smokers (odds ratio [OR], 6.34; 95 % confidence intervals [CI], 1.16-34.69; P = 0.033), living within a mile of a marsh or wetland (OR, 21.23; 95 % CI, 3.64-123.69; P = 0.001), and history of previous bladder infections (OR, 3.87; 95 % CI, 1.0-14.98; P = 0.050). UC was diagnosed in 18 of 51 dogs (35.3 %) with quantifiable cotinine concentrations, and six of 40 dogs (15.0 %) without quantifiable cotinine concentrations in their urine (P = 0.0165). In conclusion, the main modifiable risk factor for UC in this cohort of dogs was exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke.

Evaluation of two-dimensional ultrasonography and computed tomography in the mapping and measuring of canine urinary bladder tumors.

Determining the dimensions of transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs) of the urinary bladder in dogs is important in assessing tumor progression and the response to treatment. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of a standardized two-dimensional (2-D) ultrasound (US) protocol performed by a single experienced operator. Secondary aims were to compare World Health Organization (WHO) and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) guidelines, and to compare measurements by two operators following these guidelines. These were evaluated by inter-operator and intra-operator reliability using the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and Cohen's κ statistics, which demonstrated substantial to better agreement by an experienced operator using either set of guidelines. It was demonstrated that 2-D US provides a reliable means to determine the dimensions of urinary bladder TCC when an experienced operator used a standardized protocol. In a subset of dogs, urinary bladder distension was varied, which resulted in differences in measurement with 2-D US and computed tomography.

Pharmacokinetics and toxicity of the novel oral demethylating agent zebularine in laboratory and tumor bearing dogs.

The purpose of this study was to determine the plasma pharmacokinetics (PK) and toxicity of zebularine, an oral cytidine analog with demethylating activity, in dogs. Plasma zebularine concentrations were determined by HPLC-MS/MS following an oral zebularine dose of 8 or 4 mg kg-1 . Plasma zebularine clearance was constant. Mean maximum concentration (Cmax ) was 23 ± 4.8 and 8.6 ± 1.4 µM following 8 and 4 mg kg-1 , respectively. Mean half-life was 5.7 ± 0.84 and 7.1 ± 2.1 following 8 and 4 mg kg-1 , respectively. A single 8 mg kg-1 dose was well tolerated. Daily 4 mg kg-1 treatment in three laboratory dogs resulted in grade 4 neutropenia (n = 3), grade 1 anorexia (n = 2) and grade 1 or 2 dermatologic changes (n = 2). All adverse events resolved with supportive care. A 4 mg kg-1 dose every 21 days was well tolerated. A follow-up dose escalation study is in progress with a lower starting dose.

Clinical trial of vinblastine in dogs with transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder.

BACKGROUND: Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder of dogs can be a difficult cancer to treat, and effective therapies are limited. Vinblastine has been used in humans with TCC and has potent anti-proliferative effects against canine TCC cells in vitro. OBJECTIVES: To determine the antitumor activity and toxicoses of vinblastine in dogs with urinary bladder TCC. ANIMALS: Animals selected were 28 privately owned dogs that presented to the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (PUVTH) with measurable, histologically confirmed TCC. METHODS: Prospective clinical trial: The starting vinblastine dosage was 3.0 mg/m(2) i.v. every 2 weeks. Treatment continued until cancer progression or unacceptable toxicoses occurred. Complete evaluations (physical exam, complete blood count [CBC], serum biochemical profile, urinalysis, thoracic radiography, abdominal ultrasound [US]) were performed at 8-week intervals. Urinary tract US with bladder tumor mapping was performed monthly. Toxicoses were graded according to Veterinary Co-Operative Oncology Group (VCOG) criteria. RESULTS: Tumor responses included 10 (36%) partial remission, 14 (50%) stable disease, and 4 (14%) progressive disease. The median progression free interval was 122 days (range, 28-399 days). The median survival time was 147 days (range, 28-476 days) from 1st vinblastine treatment to death and 299 days (range, 43-921 days) from diagnosis to death. The majority of dogs (27 of 28) did not have clinically relevant adverse effects. Seventeen of 28 (61%) dogs required dosage reductions because of neutropenia. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Vinblastine has antitumor activity against TCC in dogs and can be considered another treatment option for this cancer.