Oncology AI Flashcards
What is the main disadvantage of incisional biopsies?
They provide visual access but harvest smaller samples than other methods.
When is excisional biopsy indicated?
For lymph nodes, some intestinal masses, and most mammary tumors.
What are some features of malignancy used to establish malignancy grade?
Degree of differentiation, mitotic index, degree of cellular or nuclear polymorphism, amount of necrosis, invasiveness, stromal reaction, nucleolar size and number, overall cellularity, lymphoid response
How can the presumed clinical behavior of a tumor be assessed when there is no validated grading scheme?
On the basis of well, moderately, or poorly differentiated
What are grading schemes often used for?
To give a prognosis and decide treatment intensity
What is the role of histologic grade?
It is complementary to the TNM clinical stage
What is the mechanism of action of toceranib against MCTs?
Antiangiogenic nature, results of VEGFR and PDGFR blockage
Is tumour grade associated with response rate to toceranib?
No
Is duration of response longer for grade II or grade III MCT treated with toceranib?
Grade II
What are potential mechanisms for resistance to toceranib?
Development of new mutations in c-kit, significant overexpression of KIT, activation of other signaling pathways
What was the response rate in the randomized trial of masitinib for dogs with inoperable MCTs?
15% for treatment group, 16% for placebo group
Was there a significant difference in time to disease progression between masitinib and placebo group?
Yes, masitinib group had a significantly improved time to disease progression
Did c-Kit mutation presence affect the time to disease progression in the masitinib group?
No
What are the survival rates at 12 and 24 months for dogs treated with masitinib?
Higher survival rate at 12 and 24 months
What is the treatment response rate of masitinib in non-resectable and metastatic MCT?
50%
What is the most significant prognostic factor for survival in dogs treated with masitinib?
Response to masitinib
What are the adverse reactions associated with masitinib treatment?
Diarrhoea, anorexia, vomiting, lethargy, lameness, weight loss, blood in stool
What are the laboratory abnormalities associated with masitinib treatment?
Neutropenia, hypoalbuminaemia, thrombocytopenia, increased ALT, decreased hematocrit, increased creatinine, hyperbilirubinemia, urinary tract infection
Is there evidence of TKIs effectiveness against feline MCTs?
No published studies on the activity of masitinib against feline MCTs
What was the response rate of feline MCTs positive for c-kit mutation treated with imatinib?
Complete response: 2/9, Partial response: 6/9
What is a possible alternative chemotherapy regime for feline MCTs?
Toceranib and prednisolone
What is the dosage of toceranib for cats?
2.75mg/kg three times per week
What was the clinical benefit seen in cats treated with toceranib?
86% for cutaneous cases, 76% for gastrointestinal cases
What is the median duration of treatment for cats experiencing clinical benefit with toceranib?
36 weeks for cutaneous cases, 23 weeks for gastrointestinal cases
What is the most significant prognostic factor for survival in cats treated with toceranib?
Response to toceranib
Why should tablets or capsules of cyclophosphamide never be broken or opened?
Breaking or opening the tablets or capsules may lead to an inappropriate dose and exposure to cytotoxic drugs.
What precaution should be taken by veterinary surgeons or pet owners when administering cytotoxic drugs?
They must wear gloves when administering these drugs.
What is the recommended administration route for chemotherapy drugs in dogs and cats with malignant pleural or abdominal effusions?
Intracavitary administration, with the implantation of permanent thoracic or pleural catheters.
Which chemotherapy drugs have been successful in reducing malignant effusion in dogs?
Cisplatin, carboplatin, mitoxantrone, and fluorouracil.
What factors should be considered in monitoring and managing the adverse effects of chemotherapy?
Dose-related toxicity, organ system failure, genetic defects, and tissue-specific effects.
What is the common term for the toxic effects of chemotherapy on the bone marrow?
Myelosuppression.
What is the limiting factor of myelosuppression in pets undergoing cytotoxic therapy?
Neutropenia.
When does the nadir of neutrophils typically occur after the administration of chemotherapy?
Around 8 days post-administration, varying from 5 to 10 days depending on the drug.
What is the recommended interval for administering most chemotherapy drugs in veterinary oncology?
At least every one to two weeks, except for lomustine and carboplatin.
What should be performed when the neutrophil nadir is expected?
A full complete blood count, including platelet count.
When should the dose of a chemotherapy drug be reduced?
If nadirs below 1000 neutrophils per microliter are detected.
How much should the dose of a chemotherapy drug be reduced if the neutrophil count falls below 1000/μl?
By 15 - 20% for the next administration.
What is the general approach when the neutrophil count is below 2000/μl?
Delay chemotherapy treatment by 3 days to one week and consider other factors for treatment decision-making.
When should chemotherapy not be administered, regardless of the neutrophil count?
If the patient is clinically unwell (anorexia, diarrhea, vomiting) or has a fever.
What is the high-risk complication associated with neutrophil counts below 500/μl?
Sepsis.
What breakthrough was achieved in the treatment of canine melanoma?
A breakthrough was achieved with a DNA vaccine encoding the human tyrosinase.
What is the name of the DNA vaccine used for treating oral melanoma in dogs?
The DNA vaccine is commercialized under the name of Oncept.
Which regulatory authority has licensed Oncept for veterinary use?
Oncept is the only veterinary therapeutic tumour vaccine licensed by the US FDA.
How was the clinical efficacy of Oncept evaluated in a study?
The clinical efficacy of Oncept was evaluated in a pilot study with 9 dogs.
What was the administration method used for the DNA vaccine?
The DNA vaccine was administered i/m in a needle-free manner without electroporation.
What was the advantage of the administration method used for the DNA vaccine?
Unlike electroporation, no general anaesthesia was required for the administration of the DNA vaccine.
What was the frequency of administration for the DNA vaccine in early trials?
The DNA vaccine was administered four times weekly in early trials.
How was the frequency of administration for the DNA vaccine changed in recent trials?
In recent trials, the DNA vaccine was administered four biweekly injections followed by boosts every 6 months.
What type of response was observed in some patients after vaccination?
An antibody response against human tyrosinase was observed in some patients.
What correlation was observed between the antibody response and the clinical response?
A correlation between the antibody response and the clinical response was observed in the initial pilot study.
What is tyrosinase and why was the antibody response unexpected?
Tyrosinase is an intracellular protein, and it was unexpected to see a response from antibodies.
How were the survival times of vaccinated dogs compared to a control group?
A statistical survival analysis compared the survival times of vaccinated dogs to a historical control group.
What was the median survival time for vaccinated dogs in the study?
The median survival time was not reached for vaccinated dogs.
What percentage of vaccinated dogs were expected to live beyond 464 days?
75% of vaccinated dogs were expected to live beyond 464 days.
What is a weakness of the study comparing survival times to a control group?
The study used survival data from an article published in 1999, which may not be comparable to the present.
What additional study design is recommended to prove the clinical efficacy of Oncept?
A randomized, placebo-controlled study should be performed to prove the clinical efficacy of Oncept.
What did a recent study find in terms of survival time for vaccinated and non-vaccinated dogs?
No difference in survival time could be found between vaccinated and not vaccinated dogs.
How many dogs were included in the study with canine oral melanoma?
The study included 151 dogs with canine oral melanoma.
What is the recommended approach for cases of oral melanoma in terms of local control?
Complete removal of primary tumor and removal of metastatic lymph nodes is recommended for local control.
What are the four major categories of tumour antigens?
Differentiation antigens, cancer/testis antigens, mutational antigens, ubiquitous antigens
What are differentiation antigens?
Antigens overexpressed in a given type of cancer and often expressed in normal tissue.
What are examples of differentiation antigens?
Prostate-specific antigen and tyrosinase.
What are cancer/testis antigens?
Antigens expressed in germ-line tissue and different types of cancers.
Why are cancer/testis antigens considered tumour specific?
Germ-line tissue lacks MHC expression, hence tolerance and autoimmunity are not major issues.
What are mutational antigens?
Antigens resulting from mutations and are strictly tumour specific.
What are the limitations of mutational antigens?
They are patient-specific or restricted to certain patients.
How can unknown mutational antigens be included in tumour vaccines?
By using whole, autologous tumour cell vaccines.
What are ubiquitous antigens?
Antigens expressed in many normal tissues and overexpressed in tumours.
What is the rationale behind the effectiveness of ubiquitous antigens without causing autoimmunity?
Overexpression in tumour cells can reach the threshold for T-cell recognition, breaking immune tolerance.
What is an example of a ubiquitous antigen?
Her2/neu
What are the three classes of antigens based on their origin?
Autologous, allogeneic, and xenogeneic antigens.
What are autologous antigens?
Antigens isolated from the patient’s own tumour cells, representing personalized therapy.
How can autologous antigens be included in tumour vaccines?
By using tumour cell vaccines, dendritic cell vaccines, peptide vaccines, or DC tumour fusion vaccines.
What are allogeneic antigens?
Antigens from the same species as the patient, but from a different individual.
What are xenogeneic antigens?
Antigens derived from another species than the patient, breaking immune tolerance to self-antigens.
When does surgical resection become possible after neoadjuvant chemotherapy?
Surgical resection becomes possible after a few cycles of chemotherapy.
Should chemotherapy be used as a substitute for surgery or radiotherapy?
No, chemotherapy should not be used as a substitute for surgery or radiotherapy.
When can chemotherapy be used following surgery with incomplete margins?
Chemotherapy can be used following surgery with incomplete margins, usually for neoplasms not very responsive to chemotherapy and/or with low mitotic index.
Why should chemotherapy not be used in patients with severe organ dysfunction?
Chemotherapy should not be used in patients with severe organ dysfunction due to the increased risk of systemic toxicity.
What are the considerations for choice, combination, and dose calculation of cytotoxic drugs?
Drugs must have proven efficacy, different mechanisms of action, and no overlapping toxicities.
Why are combinations of drugs usually more effective than single agents?
Combinations of drugs have proven to be more effective than single agents, except for doxorubicin/carboplatin in osteosarcoma.
What is dose intensity?
Dose intensity is the amount of drug administered per unit time.
How can dose intensity be increased?
Dose intensity can be increased by increasing the dosage or shortening the time interval between drug administrations.
What is the aim of dosing myelosuppressive drugs?
The aim is to deliver doses that produce a neutrophil nadir of between 1.0 and 1.5 x 109/L.
What is the formula for calculating the body surface area (BSA) for dogs and cats?
For dogs: S=10.1 x weight (kg)0.66 / 104, For cats: S=10 x weight (kg)0.66 / 104
Why is dosage based on BSA imperfect for small dogs and cats?
Dosage based on BSA for many drugs is imperfect because small dogs and cats should be dosed at a lower rate than larger dogs.
What should be done for patients with fever or gastrointestinal symptoms?
Hospitalization and administration of intravenous fluids and antibiotics.
What should be done for patients who are not febrile?
Careful monitoring and administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
What treatment is usually sufficient for neutrophil counts from 500-1200/μl if the patient does not present clinical signs?
Administering broad-spectrum oral antibiotics orally for several days and monitoring until the next blood count.
How long does the neutrophil nadir rarely last for in most cases?
48-72 hours.
What is considered a normal neutrophil count below in certain breeds, especially sighthounds?
3000/μl.
What factors should be considered when deciding whether or not to treat?
Number of neutrophils, type of neoplasm, and clinical stage of the disease.
What is the potential adverse effect with the greatest impact on the quality of life of pets treated with chemotherapy?
Gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity.
How can gastrointestinal toxicity be managed?
Through prevention and a good preventive plan.
What factors should be assessed to determine the patient’s risk of GI toxicity?
Prevalence of GI toxicity associated with the drug, breed of the patient, individual sensitivity, and whether the neoplasm being treated affects the gastrointestinal tract.
What should be prescribed when a drug with a high prevalence of GI toxicity is administered for the first time?
Symptomatic treatment (antiemetics or antidiarrhea agents).
What are the common clinical signs of gastrointestinal toxicity?
Lack of appetite, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and constipation.
What can cytotoxic drugs cause in the gastric and intestinal epithelium?
Gastrointestinal toxicity due to high cell turnover, leading to vomiting and mucoid or haemorrhagic diarrhea.
What should be considered for unacceptable toxicity?
Reductions in the dose or changes to the chemotherapy protocol.
What can contribute to the severity of gastrointestinal toxicity?
Lack of symptomatic or preventive therapy.
What can some drugs induce?
Nausea and vomiting.
What is the proposed dose range of TKIs in dogs and cats?
10-15 mg/kg
How are TKIs mostly eliminated in dogs and cats?
Through feces (92%) with a small portion excreted in urine (7%)
Where can concentration of toceranib be detected in dogs after a single oral dose?
Bile, liver, lymph nodes, adrenals, colon, bone marrow, kidneys, lungs, spleen, pancreas, and skin
What are the most common adverse effects of TKIs in dogs and cats?
Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders
What are the second most common adverse effects of TKIs in dogs and cats?
Hematologic disorders (neutropenia and thrombocytopenia)
What are the third most common adverse effects of TKIs in dogs and cats?
Musculoskeletal disorders (muscle pain and lameness)
What is a confounding factor when reporting adverse effects in dogs with mast cell tumors?
The prevalence of GI signs in patients with this disease secondary to histamine release
What is the prevalence of grade III and IV adverse effects in dogs with non-mast cell neoplasia treated with toceranib?
Lower than in dogs with mast cell tumors
What are some less frequently described adverse effects of TKIs in dogs and cats?
Liver toxicity, vasculitis, edema, hypertension, hypopigmentation, alopecia, pancreatitis, pulmonary thromboembolism, nephrotic syndrome, hemolytic anemia, etc.
What adverse effects were observed in cats administered masitinib?
Proteinuria, neutropenia, gastrointestinal toxicity, and increases in creatinine
Why is early recognition of adverse effects important when using TKIs?
Due to the possible occurrence of a cumulative effect
How long can it take for the resolution of adverse effects after TKI discontinuation?
Weeks in some cases
What is the suggested monitoring plan for early detection of adverse effects?
Not mentioned in the given text
What is the known potential toxicity with the use of this drug in dogs?
10% of dogs had evidence of this side effect at some point during treatment.
Which drugs have been shown to be relatively safe in dogs with advanced tumors when used in a metronomic fashion?
Lomustine and chlorambucil.
Why did a significant number of dogs have to withdraw from receiving lomustine?
Due to toxicosis (GI, hepatic and renal).
Are there veterinary studies that examine the usefulness of these drugs to reduce angiogenesis, number of CEPs or Tregs?
No, there are currently no veterinary studies that examine the usefulness of these drugs.
Are there objective measures of outcomes and efficacy for metronomic therapy?
No, there are no objective measures of outcomes and efficacy.
What does sustained stable disease manifest as with metronomic chemotherapy?
Sustained stable disease may be the only manifestation of objective results with metronomic chemotherapy.
How long does it typically take for actual tumor shrinkage to occur with continuous therapy?
Actual tumor shrinkage, if it occurs, may manifest only after 1 to 2 months of continuous therapy, or more.
When may the benefits of metronomic dosing be maximized?
The benefits of metronomic dosing may be maximized at the lowest tumor burden, i.e., as adjuvant therapy.
What were the initial dosing recommendations for cyclophosphamide in metronomic therapy?
Cyclophosphamide 15 mg/m2 daily (reduced to EOD in face of toxicity).
What is the recommended dosing of piroxicam in metronomic therapy?
Piroxicam 0.3mg/kg daily (or NSAID of choice).
What are the potential side effects of long-term metronomic chemotherapy?
Up to 30% prevalence of sterile hemorrhagic cystitis, therefore concurrent use of frusemide at 0.5mg/kg is recommended.
Can anti-angiogenic therapies and metronomic scheduling replace traditional cytotoxic schedules?
No, on their own, anti-angiogenic therapies and metronomic scheduling may not replace traditional cytotoxic schedules.
What do current research focus on in terms of metronomic chemotherapy?
Understanding its effects on angiogenesis, immunology, tumour microenvironment, cell specificity, and drug-resistance mechanisms.
Are metronomic chemotherapy protocols currently considered the standard of care?
No, they are still considered investigational and not the current standard of care.
Who should input be sought from when considering the approach?
All involved parties, including radiation and surgical oncologists.
What treatment is often used for tumors at high risk of metastasis?
Hypofractionated radiation and chemotherapy.
Name three tumors that may be treated with full-dose chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Appendicular osteosarcoma, tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and oral melanoma.
What is the primary purpose of giving chemotherapy in conjunction with radiation therapy?
Systemic effect on presumed microscopic metastatic disease.
How does chemotherapy impact local tumor control?
It may impact local tumor control, but it is primarily given for its systemic effect.
What are potential complications of full-dose chemotherapy?
Bone marrow suppression and sepsis.
How can carboplatin concurrently given with radiation impact myelosuppression?
It can result in marked myelosuppression, including profound neutropenia.
What factors can influence the response of tumors to radiation therapy?
Species, histology, tumor location, histopathological grade, stage of disease, age of patient.
What response can be expected for SCC on the nasal planum of a cat?
Typically an excellent response.
How does the response of oral SCC in cats differ from that in dogs?
Oral SCC in cats is notoriously radio-resistant, while dogs may achieve long-term local control with radiation alone.
What characteristic is associated with the papillary variant of SCC in young dogs?
Local aggression and extensive osteolysis.
What are acute radiation side effects primarily caused by?
Rapidly proliferating cells in tissues.
How long do acute radiation side effects typically take to resolve?
Within 3 to 6 weeks.
Name one treatment option for skin reactions during radiation therapy.
Topical aloe vera based lotions or silver sulfadiazine cream.
Where do late radiation side effects primarily occur?
In tissues where cells do not undergo mitosis, such as nerves and bone.
What causes late radiation side effects?
Changes in connective tissues, stroma, and vasculature.
What can cause diarrhoea after chemotherapy administration?
Direct stimulation of the chemoreceptor trigger zone.
When does diarrhoea tend to occur after administration of chemotherapy?
3 to 5 days.
Which drugs can be used for symptomatic management of chemotherapy-induced diarrhoea?
Sulphasalazine, metronidazole, and loperamide.
What are some other causes of diarrhoea?
Dietary indiscretion and parasites.
What can vincristine cause in cats?
Ileus paralyticus.
What clinical signs are associated with vincristine-induced ileus paralyticus?
Lack of appetite, abdominal pain, and constipation.
What is the recommended treatment for vincristine-induced ileus paralyticus?
Reduce vincristine dose, replace with vinblastine, or discontinue treatment.
What is the most common clinical sign of gastrointestinal toxicity in cats?
Anorexia.
What can high dose cyclophosphamide administration lead to in cats?
Development of nausea.
What gastric protectants can be used for nausea or vomiting secondary to gastroenteritis?
Antacids, proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole), or H2 blockers (ranitidine or famotidine).
What is the purpose of sucralfate in gastrointestinal therapy?
To help the healing of the GI mucosa and prevent further damage.
What is a possible side effect of doxorubicin in dogs?
Cardiotoxicity and mast cell degranulation.
What is the cumulative dose that can lead to chronic doxorubicin-induced dilated cardiomyopathy?
> 180 mg/m2.
What is a possible side effect of doxorubicin in cats?
Nephrotoxicity.
What can cause sterile haemorrhagic cystitis in dogs?
Cyclophosphamide.
What is the metabolite of cyclophosphamide that is irritant to the bladder lining?
Acrolein.
What is the efficacy of toceranib and masitinib in malignancies other than MCTs?
Information is scarce.
What are the types of neoplasms in which toceranib has been used as a treatment?
Canine solid neoplasias.
What is the expected benefit of toceranib treatment for dogs with solid neoplasms?
Good quality of life and partial response or stabilization of the disease.
What are the clinical benefits observed in dogs treated with toceranib?
Clinical benefit was observed in 74% of dogs with AGASACA, OSAs, thyroid carcinomas, head and neck carcinomas, and nasal carcinomas.
What other treatments did the dogs in the study receive along with toceranib?
NSAIDs or metronomic cyclophosphamide or both.
What was the median dose of toceranib for dogs experiencing clinical benefit?
2.8 mg/kg.
What was the duration of treatment for most dogs experiencing clinical benefit?
Four months or longer.
What safety study involved the combination of toceranib and piroxicam?
A study to document the safety of the combination.
What neoplasm showed a complete response with toceranib in a case report?
Canine lymphangiosarcoma.
What neoplasm showed a temporal complete remission with masitinib in a case report, but subsequently relapsed?
Canine neurofibrosarcoma.
What technique was used in a case report for primary tumor cell culture from a primary osteosarcoma in a dog?
Establishment of a primary tumor cell culture.
What is the relationship between the dose per fraction and the probability of late effects?
The higher the dose per fraction, the higher the probability of late effects.
Which animals are more likely to experience late effects after palliative radiation therapy?
Animals treated with a larger dose per fraction in palliative radiation therapy.
What are some possible treatments for late effects?
Surgery to remove cataracts, surgical debridement for bone necrosis, and bougienage or resection for strictures of hollow viscera.
Why are palliative/hypofractionated protocols not recommended for patients expected to live long?
Increased potential for late side effects is one of the reasons.
What is stereotactic radiosurgery?
The use of multiple, non-coplanar beams of radiation to deliver a single, high-radiation dose precisely to the target.
In which cases has helical tomotherapy been used?
Helical tomotherapy has been used in the treatment of brain tumors and canine appendicular osteosarcoma.
What is tomotherapy?
It is intensity-modulated radiation therapy that uses CT imaging for planning, delivery, and verification of treatment.
What is the role of surgery in the management of cancer?
Diagnosis (biopsy), resection for cure, palliation, and debulking.
What is the purpose of tumour biopsy?
To allow a diagnosis, prognosis, staging, and decision-making about therapeutic options.
When is biopsy performed for staging purposes?
Biopsy of primary lesions and potential metastases may be performed for staging purposes.
What type of gloves should veterinary surgeons and staff wear for chemotherapy?
Thick latex gloves specifically for chemotherapy or two pairs of latex gloves.
What is more important for the glove used in chemotherapy?
Thickness is more important than the material.
What additional protective clothing should personnel wear for chemotherapy?
Disposable impermeable gowns.
What precautions are recommended when closed systems are not used in chemotherapy?
Eye protection and particle-filtering masks.
What should be done to reduce environmental contamination in chemotherapy?
Purge the infusion equipment before adding drugs to the saline solution.
How should potentially contaminating material be disposed of in chemotherapy?
Place in bags or bins for bio-hazardous material.
Who can arrange for the disposal of material contaminated with cytotoxic drugs in chemotherapy?
Human hospital or approved companies.
Can the materials used in the preparation and administration of chemotherapy be reused?
No, they cannot be reused.
What precautions should be taken when handling waste from patients who received chemotherapy?
Disposable gown and gloves should be worn by personnel while cleaning excreta.
Who should not prepare or administer chemotherapy drugs or handle hospitalized patients?
Pregnant women.
Where should tablets be prepared and transferred for chemotherapy patients?
To an area with little movement of personnel and animals.
What is the advantage of tumour vaccination in cancer therapy?
Practically no or minor adverse effects and potential protection from relapses.
Why is research on tumour vaccination in pets also of interest for human medicine?
Successful vaccines in pets can often be translated to human medicine.
What are two therapeutic tumour vaccines that have gained approval?
Provenge for prostate cancer in men and Oncept for melanoma in dogs.
What is a weakness of tumour vaccination?
It takes a long time to develop an effective immune response which may be too late for aggressive tumours.
What is a concern with tumour vaccines?
Autoimmunity is a theoretical concern with tumour-associated vaccines.
What is the purpose of a break period in chemotherapy?
To allow normal tissues to recover before the next dose.
How long can a break period be in chemotherapy?
It can be as lengthy as 2-4 weeks depending on the chemotherapy agent.
Which chemotherapy agents are used for osteosarcoma?
Carboplatin