EC26S-058: An Integrated Approach to High-Grade Feline Lymphoma: Induction with Whole-Abdominal Radiation followed by COP/DOX Chemotherapy Treatment.

Lymphoma is the most common cancer in cats and, because it affects the whole body, chemotherapy is usually the main treatment. In cases of aggressive lymphoma, how well the cat responds to treatment is the biggest factor in predicting their outcome. Only 30–40% of these cats achieve complete remission, or temporary disappearance of cancer signs, while most have a more limited outlook, with survival times of about 1–4 months. Radiation therapy (RT) has been tested as a treatment for lymphomas in both cats and dogs, and recent research shows that combining chemotherapy with RT can improve outcomes in dogs with lymphomas. In cats, studies have shown that they can tolerate RT to the whole abdomen. However, no studies have looked at whether RT would be helpful as the induction phase of treatment for cats with newly diagnosed lymphoma. This study will test if starting treatment with RT, followed by chemotherapy, could improve outcome for aggressive, high-grade lymphoma in cats. We plan to enroll 10 cats who haven’t received previous chemotherapy or RT. Each cat will receive whole abdomen RT over two days and response will be assessed. Cats will then begin a standard chemotherapy protocol.

Throughout the study, we will closely monitor response to treatment and any side effects through physical exams, blood tests, and imaging. We expect that this approach of starting with RT before chemotherapy could increase the chance of treatment response (response rate) and also prolong survival time. (Cancer/Oncology Fund) (Speckles Abdominal Cancer Fund)