Antitumor effects of deracoxib treatment in 26 dogs with transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder

Abstract

Objective-To evaluate the antitumor activity and toxic effects of deracoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, in dogs with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder.Design-Clinical trial.Animals-26 client-owned dogs with naturally occurring, histologically confirmed, measurableTCC of the urinary bladder.Procedures-Dogs were treated PO with deracoxib at a dosage of 3 mg/kg/d (1.36 mg/lb/d) as a single-agent treatment for TCC. Tumor response was assessed via radiography,abdominal ultrasonography, and ultrasonographic mapping of urinary bladder masses. Toxiceffects of deracoxib administration in dogs were assessed through clinical observations andhematologic and biochemical analyses.Results-Of 24 dogs for which tumor response was assessed, 4 (17%) had partial remission,17 (71%) had stable disease, and 3 (13%) had progressive disease; initial responsecould not be assessed in 2 of 26 dogs. The median survival time was 323 days. Median timeto progressive disease was 133 days. Renal, hepatic, and gastrointestinal abnormalities attributedto deracoxib administration were noted in 4% (1/26), 4% (1/26), and 19% (5/26) ofdogs, respectively.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results indicated that deracoxib was generally well toleratedby dogs and had antitumor activity against TCC.