Perioperative desmopressin prolongs survival in surgically treated bitches with mammary gland tumours: a pilot study

Desmopressin (1-deamino-8-d-arginine vasopressin, also known as DDAVP) is a safe haemostatic compound capable of inhibiting lymph node and lung metastasis in a mouse model of mammary tumour manipulation and surgical excision. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy and safety of perioperative DDAVP (1microg/kg) in surgically treated bitches with mammary gland tumours (MGT). Twenty-one, otherwise healthy, intact bitches, with malignant MGT stage III or IV were randomly allocated to DDAVP (n=11) or placebo (n=10) groups. En bloc mastectomy of the affected gland/s was performed. DDAVP had a significant beneficial effect on disease-free period (P<0.01) and overall survival time (P<0.05). No side effects were seen in any of the cases. Whatever the mechanism of action, it seems that DDAVP may have a novel use in cancer surgery to minimise spread or survival of residual malignant cells. Additional, large scale controlled trials are required to fully evaluate this adjuvant pharmacological protocol.