Retrospective analysis of doxorubicin and prednisone as first-line therapy for canine B-cell lymphoma

Background A doxorubicin (DOX)-based chemotherapy protocol, CHOP, is the most effective treatment for canine high-grade B-cell lymphoma; however, the cost and time requirements associated with this protocol are not feasible for many pet owners. An alternative treatment option is the use of DOX, the most effective drug, in combination with prednisone. Prior studies with single-agent DOX included dogs with T-cell lymphoma, a known negative prognostic factor, which may have resulted in shorter reported survival times than if dogs with B-cell lymphoma were analyzed separately. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of dogs with high-grade B-cell lymphoma when treated with DOX and prednisone with or without L-asparaginase (L-ASP). Identification of prognostic factors was of secondary interest.