Somministrazione quindicinale della vincristina per il trattamento del tumore venereo trasmissibile del cane.

This study aimed to evaluate a new, 2-weekly, vincristine treatment in comparison to the traditional weekly protocol for canine transmissible venereal tumours (CTVT). 30 CTVT affected dogs were divided into three groups: 10 dogs in the control group A were treated weekly with 0,025 mg/Kg iv of vincristine, 10 dogs in each of the experimental groups B and C were treated at 2-week intervals. Groups A and B were monitored daily for side effects and haematological parameters. Group C included dogs for which weekly treatment and monitoring were difficult for problems regarding management and temperament. Therapy was suspended when neoplastic cells were no longer found in smears. In group A, the complete remission of CTVT was obtained with 3,6±0,7 administrations; in groups B and C with 2,2±0,3 administrations. Only mild side effects were observed with no difference among the groups. A 2-weekly vincristine regimen could be an alternative to elective treatment for CTVT. It can be successfully applied in animals in which weekly therapy is impractical, allowing a remission with fewer chemotherapy sessions and advantages for both owners and animals.