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.

Estimating within-flock transmission rate parameter for H5N2 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in Minnesota turkey flocks during the 2015 epizootic.

Better control of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks requires deeper understanding of within-flock virus transmission dynamics. For such fatal diseases, daily mortality provides a proxy for disease incidence. We used the daily mortality data collected during the 2015 H5N2 HPAI outbreak in Minnesota turkey flocks to estimate the within-flock transmission rate parameter (ß). The number of birds in Susceptible, Exposed, Infectious and Recovered compartments was inferred from the data and used in a generalised linear mixed model (GLMM) to estimate the parameters. Novel here was the correction of these data for normal mortality before use in the fitting process. We also used mortality threshold to determine HPAI-like mortality to improve the accuracy of estimates from the back-calculation approach. The estimated ß was 3.2 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.3-4.3) per day with a basic reproduction number of 12.8 (95% CI 9.2-17.2). Although flock-level estimates varied, the overall estimate was comparable to those from other studies. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated that the estimated ß was highly sensitive to the bird-level latent period, emphasizing the need for its precise estimation. In all, for fatal poultry diseases, the back-calculation approach provides a computationally efficient means to obtain reasonable transmission parameter estimates from mortality data.

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.

Randomized trial of cisplatin versus firocoxib versus cisplatin/firocoxib in dogs with transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder.

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin combined with a nonselective cyclooxygenase (cox) inhibitor has potent antitumor activity against transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in dogs, but this treatment is limited by renal toxicosis. Cox-2 is expressed in TCC, but only in limited sites within the kidney. A cox-2 inhibitor could enhance the antitumor activity of cisplatin with potentially fewer adverse effects on the kidney. HYPOTHESIS: Cisplatin/cox-2 inhibitor treatment will have greater antitumor activity but no more renal toxicosis than cisplatin alone in dogs with TCC. ANIMALS: Forty-four dogs with naturally occurring urinary bladder TCC. METHODS: Dogs were randomized to receive cisplatin (60 mg/m(2) IV q21d), firocoxib (5 mg/kg PO q24h), or the combination. Tumor measurements were determined before and at 6-week intervals during treatment. Renal function was monitored by serum creatinine concentration, iohexol clearance, and urine specific gravity. Toxicoses were graded according to Veterinary Co-Operative Oncology Group (VCOG) criteria. RESULTS: The remission rate with cisplatin/firocoxib (57%) was significantly (P = .021) higher than that with cisplatin alone (13%). Renal and gastrointestinal toxicoses were common in dogs receiving cisplatin, but there were no significant differences between dogs receiving cisplatin or cisplatin/firocoxib. Firocoxib alone induced partial remission or stable disease in 20 and 33% of dogs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Firocoxib significantly enhanced the antitumor activity of cisplatin resulting in partial remission in more than half of the cases. The toxicoses inherent to cisplatin, however, were noted in dogs receiving this combination. Firocoxib had antitumor effects as a single agent and can be considered a palliative treatment for dogs with TCC.

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.

Pretreatment tumor prostaglandin E2 concentration and cyclooxygenase-2 expression are not associated with the response of canine naturally occurring invasive urinary bladder cancer to cyclooxygenase inhibitor therapy.

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which pretreatment prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentration and cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2) expression could be used to predict the antitumor activity of cox inhibitor treatment in naturally occurring canine transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder (TCC). Snap frozen tissues (to measure PGE2) and formalin-fixed TCC samples (for cox-2 immunohistochemistry) were obtained by cystoscopy or surgery. Complete tumor staging was performed before and after one month of treatment with the cox inhibitor, piroxicam (0.3 mg/kg q24 h po). The pretreatment PGE2 concentration ranged from 57 to 1624 ng/g of TCC tissue; n=18 dogs). Cox-2 immunoreactivity was observed in all TCC samples. There was no association between PGE2 concentration, cox-2 expression, and change in tumor volume with piroxicam treatment. In conclusion, cox-2 expression or PGE2 concentration alone, or the combination of the two was not useful in predicting response to piroxicam treatment in canine TCC.

Carboplatin and piroxicam therapy in 31 dogs with transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder.

Invasive transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder responds poorly to medical therapy. Combining platinum chemotherapy with a cyclooxygenase (cox) inhibitor has shown promise against canine TCC, where the disease closely mimics the human condition. A phase II clinical trial of carboplatin combined with the cox inhibitor, piroxicam, was performed in 31 dogs with naturally occurring, histopathologically confirmed, measurable TCC. Complete tumour staging was performed before and at 6-week intervals during therapy. Tumour responses in 29 dogs included 11 partial remissions, 13 stable disease and five progressive disease. Two of the 31 dogs were withdrawn prior to the re-staging of the tumour. Gastrointestinal toxicity was observed in 23 dogs. Hematologic toxicity was noted in 11 dogs. The median survival was 161 days from first carboplatin treatment to death. In conclusion, carboplatin/piroxicam induced remission in 40% of dogs providing evidence that a cox inhibitor enhances the antitumour activity of carboplatin. The frequent toxicity and limited survival, however, do not support the use of this specific protocol against TCC.

Expression of cyclooxygenase-1 and 2 in naturally-occurring canine cancer.

The purpose of this work was to determine cox-1 and cox-2 expression by immunohistochemistry in forms of naturally occurring canine cancer in order to identify animal systems for pre-clinical evaluation of cox inhibitors and cox-2 inhibitors in cancer. Canine lymphoma (LSA), prostatic carcinoma (PCA), osteosarcoma (OSA), oral melanoma (MEL), oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), oral fibrosarcoma (FSA), mammary carcinoma (MCA), and normal tissues were included. Cox-2 was expressed in epithelial tumors (17 of 26 SCC, 8 of 13 MCA, 5 of 9 PCA cases) and MEL (9 of 15 cases), but was generally absent in normal tissues. Cox-2 expression was minimal or absent in mesenchymal tumors and LSA. Cox-1 was expressed in normal epithelial tissues and in some osteoclast and osteoblast in bone, but was absent in normal lymph node. In conclusion, forms of canine cancer were identified for in vivo studies of the effects of cox inhibitors and selective cox-2 inhibitors on cancer.

Cisplatin versus cisplatin combined with piroxicam in a canine model of human invasive urinary bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: More than 12,000 people are expected to die from invasive transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder each year in the United States, indicating that more effective therapy is needed. Drugs inhibiting cyclooxygenase (cox) have recently been found to have chemopreventive and antitumor activity and may potentiate the effects of chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cisplatin combined with the cox-inhibitor piroxicam would induce remission more frequently than cisplatin alone in a relevant animal model of human invasive TCC. METHODS: Pet dogs with naturally occurring, histopathologically confirmed, measurable TCC of the urinary bladder were randomized to receive cisplatin (60 mg/m2 i.v. every 21 days) or cisplatin (same dosage) combined with piroxicam (0.3 mg/kg orally every 24 h). Complete staging was performed prior to and at 6-week intervals during therapy. RESULTS: After eight dogs had been evaluated in each treatment group, a significant difference in remission rate was noted (Fisher's Exact test, P < 0.004). Tumor responses in the cisplatin/piroxicam group included two complete remissions (CR), four partial remissions (PR), two stable disease (SD), and no progressive disease (PD). Tumor responses to cisplatin alone in eight dogs were no CR, no PR, four SD, and four PD. Six additional dogs were treated with cisplatin/piroxicam, and in total 10 of 14 dogs had remission (two CR, eight PR). Renal toxicity of cisplatin/ piroxicam was frequent and dose limiting. CONCLUSIONS: Cisplatin/piroxicam induced remission more frequently than cisplatin alone in a canine model of human invasive TCC. Strategies to reduce renal toxicity need to be developed prior to evaluation of cisplatin/piroxicam in humans or general use of this treatment in pet dogs.

Naturally-occurring canine transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder A relevant model of human invasive bladder cancer.

Invasive bladder cancer results in over 10,000 deaths yearly in the United States alone. More effective therapy for invasive bladder cancer is clearly needed. As new cellular and molecular targets for therapy are identified, relevant animal models are needed to test new therapeutic strategies aimed at these targets prior to human clinical trials. The purpose of this review is to characterize spontaneous invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder (TCC) in dogs, to summarize the similarities and differences between canine and human invasive TCC, and to describe how canine TCC could serve as a relevant model of human invasive bladder cancer. Information was summarized from 102 dogs with TCC evaluated and treated at the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, from a review of the Veterinary Medical Data Base, and from reports in the literature. Canine TCC was found to be very similar to human invasive bladder cancer in histopathologic characteristics, molecular features, biological behavior including metastasis, response to medical therapy, and prognosis. Differences between canine and human TCC were few, but included gender predilection with a male:female ratio of 2.8:1 in humans versus a male:female ratio of 0.5:1 in dogs. The location of the TCC within the bladder also differed: Most canine TCC was trigonal in location, whereas more than 50% of human TCC was in the lateral and posterior walls of the bladder. Considering the great similarity between invasive bladder cancer in humans and dogs, spontaneous canine TCC can be considered a relevant animal model of human invasive bladder cancer.

Cisplatin chemotherapy for treatment of thyroid carcinoma in dogs: 13 cases.

The medical records of 13 dogs (10 spayed females, one intact male, one castrated male, and one dog of unknown gender) with histopathologically diagnosed thyroid carcinoma that were treated with cisplatin chemotherapy were reviewed. The mean age was 10.6 years. Three of the dogs were beagles. One dog had a c-cell medullary carcinoma, while the remaining 12 had follicular thyroid carcinoma. Eight of 13 dogs had tumors greater than 5 cm in diameter. In all 11 tumors for which information was available in the medical record, the masses were attached to underlying tissue. One dog underwent a complete remission, six had partial remissions, three had stable disease, and three had progressive disease. The mean time between initiation of cisplatin chemotherapy and development of progressive disease was 223.7 days (median, 202 days), with a mean survival time of 191.8 days (median, 98 days).

Cisplatin treatment of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder in dogs: 18 cases (1983-1993).

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether cisplatin administered at a dosage of 60 mg/m2 of body surface area, IV, every 21 days, would induce remission of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of medical records. ANIMALS: 18 dogs with histologically confirmed transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. PROCEDURE: Clinical staging was performed by means of physical examination, contrast cystography or ultrasonography, and thoracic radiography prior to and 42 days after the initiation of cisplatin treatment. Dogs with clinical signs of tumor progression were reevaluated earlier than 42 days in some instances. Complete remission (CR) was defined as complete resolution of measurable tumor. Partial remission (PR) was defined as a > or = 50% reduction in tumor volume without development of new tumors. Stable disease was defined as < 50% change in tumor volume at 42 days without development of new lesions. Progressive disease (PD) was defined as > or = 50% increase in tumor volume or development of new tumors at any time. Dogs were reevaluated at 42-day intervals until they had a CR, developed PD, or developed unacceptable adverse effects. RESULTS: Three dogs had a PR, 4 had stable disease, and 9 had PD. Tumor response could not be assessed in 2 dogs: 1 dog developed grand mal seizures 3 hours after the first dose of cisplatin was given and was euthanatized; the other dog continued to have clinical signs of urinary tract obstruction and was euthanatized 8 days after the first dose of cisplatin. Four dogs developed renal azotemia that was suspected to be secondary to cisplatin nephrotoxicity. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The cisplatin dosage was higher than that reported in studies of dogs with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Even with this higher dosage, none of the dogs had a CR, and only 3 of 18 had a PR. A more effective, less toxic treatment for transitional cell carcinoma in dogs is needed.

Antibodies to canine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor induce persistent neutropenia.

A severe persistent neutropenia developed in a rabbit that was injected intradermally with 120, 60, 60, and 120 micrograms of recombinant canine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (cG-CSF) on days 1, 22, 31, and 44, respectively. The neutropenia was present from day 44 to day 205. The nadir of the neutropenia (60 cells/microliters) occurred in conjunction with peak antibody titer (640,000) to cG-CSF on day 58. The immune antiserum from this rabbit reacted positively for cG-CSF on Western blot analysis. The immune antiserum also neutralized the activity of cG-CSF. On day 160, examination of the bone marrow showed marked granulocytic hypoplasia and mild erythroid hyperplasia. On day 205, the rabbit was still neutropenic (430 cells/microliters), even though the last injection of cG-CSF was given 161 previously. Necropsy on day 205 showed that there was still mild granulocytic hypoplasia with mild erythroid hyperplasia. Because of the lack of any inflammatory foci found at necropsy and the granulocytic hypoplasia, it was thought that the neutropenia was most likely due to decreased production and was not a consumptive process. It is hypothesized that the antibody that was produced to cG-CSF neutralized the effect of endogenous rabbit granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and prevented the normal proliferation and maturation of the rabbit neutrophils.

Piroxicam therapy in 34 dogs with transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder.

Thirty-four dogs with histopathologically confirmed, measurable, nonresectable transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder were treated with piroxicam (0.3 mg/kg PO sid) and were evaluated for tumor response and drug toxicity. Dogs were evaluated at the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital by means of physical examination, thoracic and abdominal radiography, cystography, complete blood count, serum biochemistry profile, and urinalysis. In selected cases, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentrations in plasma and in supernatants of stimulated monocytes, and natural killer cell activity were quantified. Dogs were evaluated before therapy and at 28 and 56 days after initiation of therapy. Dogs with stable disease or remission at 56 days remained on the study and were evaluated at 1 to 2 months intervals. Tumor responses were 2 complete remissions, 4 partial remissions, 18 stable diseases, and 10 progressive diseases. The median survival of all dogs was 181 days (range, 28 to 720+ days), with 2 dogs still alive. Piroxicam toxicity consisted of gastrointestinal irritation in 6 dogs and renal papillary necrosis (detected at necropsy) in 2 dogs. Monocyte production of PGE2 appeared to decrease with therapy in dogs whose tumors were decreasing in size, and increased in dogs with tumor progression. A consistent pattern in natural killer cell activity was not observed. In vitro cytotoxicity assays against 4 canine tumor cell lines revealed no direct antitumor effects of piroxicam. In summary, antitumor activity, which was not likely the result of a direct cytotoxic effect, was observed in dogs with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder treated with piroxicam.

Is maintenance chemotherapy appropriate for the management of canine malignant lymphoma?

A retrospective study was conducted between two groups of dogs with histopathologically diagnosed multicentric malignant lymphoma to determine if treatment with either short-term or continuous chemotherapy resulted in a significant difference in first-remission length or survival time. One group was treated with single agent, short-term (three cycles) of doxorubicin. Dogs obtaining complete remission while receiving doxorubicin were given no further chemotherapy. The other group received combination agent, long-term chemotherapy consisting of cyclophosphamide, vincristine sulfate, and prednisone (COP). Dogs obtaining complete remission on COP by the end of 6 weeks were given maintenance chemotherapy of cyclophosphamide, prednisone and methotrexate. One hundred and five dogs were treated. Thirty-eight dogs received doxorubicin and 67 received COP. All dogs were evaluated at 6 weeks for response to chemotherapy and followed until death. No significant differences were observed in first-remission length or survival time when comparing dogs treated with either short-term doxorubicin or long-term COP (P greater than 0.05). Sex, weight, age, clinical stage, performance status, histopathologic cell type, and grade were not significant factors for determining the responsiveness to either chemotherapy protocol. However, within either treatment group, significant differences in first-remission length were observed in dogs evaluated histopathologically by the Keil and NCI working formulation and in survival time when evaluated by performance status (P less than 0.05).

Cisplatin therapy in 41 dogs with malignant tumors.

Forty-one dogs with a variety of histopathologically diagnosed, measurable tumors were treated with cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum, Platinol, Bristol Laboratories, Syracuse, NY 13221-4755) as a single agent at a dosage of 60 mg/m2 given intravenously at 3-week intervals. In an attempt to avoid renal toxicity of cisplatin, saline diuresis was induced and maintained for 4 hours before and 2 hours following cisplatin administration. The dogs received one to ten doses of cisplatin. To determine response to therapy and to monitor toxicity of the drug, the dogs were evaluated with physical examinations including tumor measurements, radiography, complete blood counts, platelet counts, urinalyses, serum urea nitrogen concentrations, and serum creatinine concentrations. An overall response rate of 19% was observed. Complete remission occurred in one of 11 dogs with squamous cell carcinomas and one of one dog with a mediastinal undifferentiated carcinoma. Partial remissions were documented in one of 11 dogs with squamous cell carcinomas, two of three dogs with metastatic osteosarcomas, one of three dogs with nasal adenocarcinomas, and one of one dog with a thyroid adenocarcinoma. Toxic side effects were primarily gastrointestinal in nature, with vomiting occurring 1-6 hours after cisplatin administration in 27 of 41 dogs. Severe anorexia occurred in three dogs, and hemorrhagic diarrhea was observed in one dog. One dog developed grand mal seizures and died 3 hours following therapy. Granulocytopenia was documented in six dogs, and thrombocytopenia was observed in four dogs. One dog showed an increase in serum urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations, but this patient had known pre-existing renal disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)