Prognostic and predictive significance of KIT protein expression and c-kit gene mutation in canine cutaneous mast cell tumours: A consensus of the Oncology-Pathology Working Group.

One of the primary objectives of the Oncology-Pathology Working Group (OPWG), a joint initiative of the Veterinary Cancer Society and the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, is for oncologists and pathologists to collaboratively generate consensus documents to standardize aspects of and provide guidelines for oncologic pathology. Consensus is established through critical review of peer-reviewed literature relevant to a subgroup's particular focus. Subsequent acceptance and approval of the document by the OPWG membership at large establishes consensus. The intent of this publication is to help educate practitioners and pathologists on the value of diagnostics related to the KIT receptor tyrosine kinase for canine cutaneous mast cell tumours and to provide a guide for the use of these tests in veterinary medicine. This document represents the opinions of the OPWG and the authors and does not constitute a formal endorsement by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists or the Veterinary Cancer Society.

Preclinical study of dolastatin-10 in dogs with spontaneous neoplasia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the short-term adverse effects of administration of dolastatin-10 (Dol-10) to dogs with spontaneously occurring malignant tumors. METHODS: A total of 34 tumor-bearing dogs were given Dol-10 as a rapid intravenous bolus every 14 days at starting dosages ranging from 200 to 350 microg/m(2). Acute and short-term adverse effects, antitumor response, and duration of response were characterized. RESULTS: The maximum tolerated dose varied greatly from patient to patient, but a reasonable starting dose for further studies was established at 300 microg/m(2). The median number of treatments per dog was 2 (range 1 to 17). Granulocytopenia was the dose-limiting toxicity. The overall response rate was 3%, consisting of a complete and durable (30 months) response in a dog with high-grade malignant lymphoma that was refractory to standard therapy. Two minor or transient responses were observed, and two dogs experienced disease stabilization for 8 and 16 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Dol-10 appears to be well tolerated in tumor-bearing dogs at doses approaching those tolerated by humans. The clinical activity observed in dogs with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma warrants further investigation.