Treatment of canine mast cell tumours with vinblastine, cyclophosphamide and prednisone: 35 cases (1997–2004)

The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the efficacy and toxicity of a combined protocol of vinblastine, cyclophosphamide and prednisone (VCP) in 35 dogs with mast cell tumours (MCTs). Eleven dogs had measurable disease (group 1) and 24 dogs had incompletely excised MCT or were at high risk for metastasis (group 2). Five patients in group 1 achieved complete response, two partial responses, two stable diseases and two progressive diseases. The median progression-free survival time (PFST) for group 1 and 2 dogs was 74 and 865 days, respectively. The median overall survival time (OST) for group 1 and 2 dogs was 145 and >2092 days, respectively. Significant negative multivariate prognostic factors included macroscopic disease and reduced vinblastine (VBL) treatments for PFST, and presence of MCT in bone marrow analysis, Patnaik grade III MCT and reduced VBL treatments for OST. Toxicity was infrequent and self-limiting. This study suggests that the VCP protocol should be considered as an option in the treatment of MCT in dogs.