INTRACAVITARY TREATMENT OF SOFT-TISSUE SARCOMAS IN DOGS USING CISPLATIN IN A BIODEGRADABLE POLYMER

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and efficacy against local disease recurrence of soft tissue sarcomas (ST S) in dogs using intracavitary cisplatin released from a polymer devic e (OPLA-Pt). Materials and Methods: OPLA-Pt was placed into the wound following marginal (histologically incomplete) resection of STS in 30 dogs (32 tumors) with a median tumor diameter of 3 cm (range = 1-14 cm ). Median cisplatin dose was 35.5 mg/m(2) (body surface area) with a r ange of 5.3-133.3 mg/m(2). Results: The OPLA-Pt was removed from 9/32 (28%) sires due to local wound complication. Local recurrence occurred in 10/32 (31%) tumors. Higher tumor grade had a significant negative influence on local tumor recurrence (p=0.031). Conclusions: The rate o f recurrence appeared to be similar using intracavitary cisplatin comp ared to previous reports of STS treated by marginal surgery followed b y radiotherapy. The complication rate indicates the need for further r efinement of the polymer/cisplatin system.