Introduction

Feline exocrine pancreatic carcinoma is a rare cancer with generally poor prognosis in cats. Historical management has included surgery and/or injectable chemotherapy. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the biological response in cats with pancreatic carcinoma treated with toceranib phosphate (TP). As a secondary aim, the progression free interval (PFI) and median survival time (MST) were calculated. Adverse events following treatment with TP were also evaluated.

Methods

A multi-institutional retrospective study was performed. For inclusion, cats were required to have a confirmed diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic carcinoma either by histopathology, cytology, or both, and to have received treatment with TP.

Results

Twenty-nine cats from 15 institutions were included. Twenty cats were treated for gross disease, six for microscopic/incomplete margins, two in a rescue setting, and one for maintenance after completing chemotherapy. Eleven (38%) cats had documented metastatic disease at time of diagnosis. Six cats received chemotherapy (carboplatin [five], cyclophosphamide [one]) prior to TP. One cat received chlorambucil concurrent with TP. Response data were available in 26 cats. Clinical benefit (CR, PR, SD>10 weeks) was observed in 13/26 (50%; CR=3; SD=10). Adverse events (AEs) were observed in 9/29 (31%) of cats. Most AEs were low grade (VCOG) and successfully managed with supportive care and/or dose adjustments.

Conclusion

Although feline exocrine pancreatic carcinoma continues to be a difficult disease to treat, TP appears to provide clinical benefit. Prospective studies are warranted to further evaluate the potential clinical utility of TP in management of this cancer.