- 🐶 Lymphoma for dogs: Are there alternatives to the CHOP protocol?
- 📖 What does research on new therapy say?
- 💉 How does the alternative protocol work?
- ⚠️ Side effects and risks
- 🏥 For which dogs is this therapy suitable?
- 💰 Cost comparison: CHOP vs. Rabacfosadin-doxorubicin
- 📌 Conclusion: Is the new therapy a real alternative?
- 📝 frequently asked questions (FAQ)
🐶 Lymphoma for dogs: Are there alternatives to the CHOP protocol?
Lymphomas are among the most common cancer in dogs. Standard therapy is the so-called CHOP protocol , a combination scheme of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristin and prednison . This treatment scheme is effective, but requires weekly visits over several months - a challenge for many animal owners.
A promising alternative could be a combination of Rabacfosadin and Doxorubicin . This therapy offers comparable treatment results, but requires less frequent visits to the clinic. In this article you will learn how this new therapy option works, what advantages and disadvantages it has and for which dogs it is suitable.
📖 What does research on new therapy say?
A current study with 59 dogs that were ill with multi -center lymphoma examined the effectiveness of an alternating protocol with Rabacfosadin and Doxorubicin. The results were promising:
✅ 93 % of the dogs spoke to the therapy to
✅ 6.6 months median progression-free survival time (PFS)
✅ 79 % of the dogs achieved a complete remission , which increased their PFS to 7.2 months
✅ dogs with B cell lymphoma had one Significantly longer response (6.6 months) than dogs with T cell lymphoma (2 months)
These values are comparable to the traditional CHOP protocol, in which the median PFS is between 4.7 and 12.5 months .
💉 How does the alternative protocol work?
The dogs received:
🔹 Rabacfosadin (1 mg/kg IV)
🔹 Doxorubicin (30 mg/m² IV for dogs over 15 kg, 25 mg/m² for smaller dogs)
The medication was alternately every 3 weeks , a total of 6 doses (3x Rabacfosadin, 3x doxorubicin) .
👉 Fewer visits to the clinic: In contrast to the CHOP protocol, which often requires weekly treatments, dogs only have to go every three weeks .
⚠️ Side effects and risks
Like any chemotherapy, this treatment can have side effects. The most common are:
- Gastrointestinal problems (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
- Hematological side effects (reduced number of white blood cells, anemia)
- Dermatological reactions (skin changes through Rabacfosadin)
- Pulmonary fibrosis (serious but rare lung damage by Rabacfosadin)
An important point: In the first phase of study, 15 % of the dogs developed lung damage . After Prednison was included in the treatment scheme, this risk fell to 4 % .
💡 Tip for pet owners: If your dog develops breathing problems during the therapy (cough, quick breathing, shortness of breath), you should immediately see a veterinarian.
🏥 For which dogs is this therapy suitable?
Rabacfosadin-doxorubicin therapy could be particularly advantageous for:
🐶 dogs with B cell lymphoma , since they better address treatment than dogs with T cell lymphoma.
🐶 dogs whose owners prefer fewer clinic visits , since the administration is less common than the CHOP protocol.
🐶 dogs that are doing well on doxorubicin, but difficult to address vincristin or cyclophosphamide.
⚠️ Not ideal for dogs with existing lung diseases, since there is a risk of pulmonary fibrosis.
💰 Cost comparison: CHOP vs. Rabacfosadin-doxorubicin
An important point is the price. Rabacfosadin can be significantly more expensive than the CHOP protocol , especially for large dogs, since several VIALs are required.
| therapy | Duration of treatment | Cost | Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chop protocol | 4-6 months | Medium costs | Standard treatment, proven |
| Rabacfosadin-Doxorubicin | 3-4 months | Higher | Less visits to the clinic, comparable effectiveness |
💡 Conclusion: For owners who are willing to accept higher costs, the new therapy could be a good alternative.
📌 Conclusion: Is the new therapy a real alternative?
✅ Comparable effectiveness to the CHOP protocol
✅ Less frequent clinic visits
✅ Good results for B cell lymphoma
⚠️ higher costs than CHOP
⚠️ Risk for pulmonary fibrosis (reduced by prednisone)
This therapy could be a sensible option for dog owners who less time -consuming treatment . However, if you shy away from the costs or have a dog with lung problems , you should get a good advice.
👉 Talk to your vet to find out if this therapy is suitable for your dog! 🐾
📝 frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How long does the alternative treatment take?
➡️ It takes about 3-4 months with administration every 3 weeks .
Is the new therapy more effective than the CHOP protocol?
➡️ No, but it shows comparable results with a PFS of 6.6 months .
Which dogs benefit the most?
➡️ Dogs with B cell lymphoma and those whose owners want less frequent visits to the clinic.
What does the treatment cost?
➡️ Rabacfosadin is more expensive than Chop , especially for large dogs. Prices vary depending on the clinic.
What side effects are there?
➡️ usual chemotherapy side effects, plus a certain risk of skin reactions and lung damage .
Should I give my dog prednison?
➡️ Yes, this reduces the risk of lung damage , but should be discussed with the vet.
Further information: https://www.cliniciansbrief.com/article/chop-protocol-lymphoma-dog-Treatment
https://www.med.vetmed.uni-muenchen.de/stächte/onko/-leistungen/infotier__rzt/index.html