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Chemotherapy protocols for lymphoma: ferrets

Note: the suggested protocols are based on clinical application and case studies and extrapolated from other species; there are no primary controlled trials in ferrets. A CBC should be performed prior to the administration of any chemotherapeutic agents.

Week Day Drug Dose and route
1 1 Prednisolone 1–2 mg/kg p.o. q12h continued throughout course of therapy
Vincristine 0.025 mg/kg i.v.
3 Cyclophosphamide 10 mg/kg p.o., s.c.
2 8 Vincristine 0.025 mg/kg i.v.
3 15 Vincristine 0.025 mg/kg i.v.
4 22 Vincristine 0.025 mg/kg i.v.
24 Cyclophosphamide 10 mg/kg p.o., s.c.
7 46 Cyclophosphamide 10 mg/kg p.o., s.c.
9 63 Prednisolone Taper dose down gradually to 0 over the next 4 wks

Week Drug Dose and route
1 Vincristine 0.025 mg/kg i.v.
Asparginase 400 IU/kg i.p.
Prednisolone 1 mg/kg p.o. q24h continued throughout course of therapy
2 Cyclophosphamide 10 mg/kg p.o., s.c.
3 Doxorubicin 1 mg/kg i.v.
4 Vincristine 0.025 mg/kg i.v.
5 Cyclophosphamide 10 mg/kg p.o., s.c.
6 Doxorubicin 1 mg/kg i.v.
8 Vincristine 0.025 mg/kg i.v.
10 Cyclophosphamide 10 mg/kg p.o., s.c.
12 Vincristine 0.025 mg/kg i.v.
14 Methotrexate 0.5 mg/kg i.v.

Premedicate with diphenhydramine at 1-2 mg/kg i.m. 30 minutes prior to administration to prevent an anaphylactic response.

 

Week Drug Dose and route
−3 Asparginase 400 IU/kg s.c.
1 Vincristine 0.12 mg/kg i.v.
Prednisolone 1 mg/kg p.o. q24h continued throughout course of therapy
Cyclophosphamide 10 mg/kg p.o.
2 Vincristine 0.12 mg/kg i.v.
3 Vincristine 0.12 mg/kg i.v.
4, 7, 10, 13, etc. (q3wks) Vincristine 0.12 mg/kg i.v.
  Cyclophosphamide 10 mg/kg p.o.
Rescue Doxorubicin 1–2 mg/kg i.v. slow infusion

Premedicate with diphenhydramine at 1-2 mg/kg i.m., s.c. 30 minutes prior to administration to prevent an anaphylactic response.

 

 

Week DRUG Dose and route
1 Asparginase 10,000 IU/m s.c.
Cyclophosphamide 250 mg/m p.o., s.c. (in 50 ml/kg NaCl s.c.)
Prednisolone 2 mg/kg p.o. q24h for 7 days then q48h throughout course of therapy
2 Asparginase 10,000 IU/m s.c.
3 Asparginase 10,000 IU/m s.c.
Cytosine arabinoside 300 mg/m s.c. q24h for 2 days (dilute 100 mg in 1 ml sterile water)
4 Asparginase 10,000 IU/m s.c.
5 Cyclophosphamide 250 mg/m p.o., s.c. (in 50 ml/kg NaCl)
7 Methotrexate 0.8 mg/kg i.m.
9 Cyclophosphamide 250 mg/m p.o., s.c. (in 50 ml/kg NaCl)
11 Cytosine arabinoside 300 mg/m s.c. q24h for 2 days (dilute 100 mg in 1 ml sterile water)
Chlorambucil 2mg tablet/ferret p.o.
13 Cyclophosphamide 250 mg/m p.o., s.c. (in 50 ml/kg NaCl)
15 Procarbazine 50 mg/m p.o. q24h for 14 days
18 Cyclophosphamide 250 mg/m p.o., s.c. (in 50 ml/kg NaCl)
20 Cytosine arabinoside 300 mg/m s.c. q24h for 2 days (dilute 100 mg in 1 ml sterile water)
23 Cyclophosphamide 250 mg/m p.o., s.c. (in 50 ml/kg NaCl)
26 Procarbazine 50 mg/m p.o. q24h for 14 days
28 Repeat weeks 20–26 if not in remission for 3 cycles  

 

Note: perform a CBC at weeks 2, 4, 7, 8, 12, 16, 17 and 27; if severe myelosuppression, reduce dose by 25% for subsequent treatments of the previously used drug.

a Premedicate with diphenhydramine at 1–2 mg/kg i.m., s.c. 30 minutes prior to administration to prevent an anaphylactic response.

 

Antinoff N and Hahn K (2004) Ferret oncology: diseases, diagnostics and therapeutics. , 579–625

Webb JK, Graham JE, Burgess KE and Antinoff N (2019) Presentation and survival time of domestic ferrets ( ) with lymphoma treated with single-and multi-agent protocols: 44 cases (1998-2016).  , 64–67

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