Response evaluation criteria for peripheral nodal lymphoma in dogs (v1.0)--a Veterinary Cooperative Oncology Group (VCOG) consensus document

Abstract

Standardized assessment of response to therapy for lymphoma in dogs is lacking, making critical comparisons of treatment protocols difficult. This Veterinary Cooperative Oncology Group (VCOG) consensus document, based on the recommendations of a subcommittee of ACVIM board-certified veterinary oncologists, was unanimously adopted at the 29th Annual Conference of the Veterinary Cancer Society (VCS) by the VCOG membership. It has integrated guidance from the response assessment criteria established for lymphoma in human patients using standards available in routine veterinary oncology practices that are simple, repeatable and consistently applicable. These guidelines are intended only for use in dogs, where peripheral lymphadenopathy represents the principal component of their disease and as such do not critically assess extranodal disease (e.g., primary cutaneous, central nervous system, gastrointestinal). It is hoped these guidelines will be widely adopted and serve to facilitate the comparison of current and future treatment protocols used in the therapy of dogs.