Objective: To describe the signalment, clinical signs, biological behavior, and outcome for cats with apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma (AGASACA) that underwent surgical excision.
Authored: Amsellem PM, Cavanaugh RP, Chou PY, Bacon NJ, Schallberger SP, Farese JP, Kuntz CA, Liptak JM, Culp WTN, Robat CS, Powers B
Published: J Am Vet Med Assoc 2019 Mar 15; 254(6):7 16-722

Abstract: An 11-year-old neutered male Alaskan Malamute mixed-breed dog was presented with a complaint of polyuria/polydipsia (PU/PD), weight loss, tachypnea, regurgitation, and a previous history of nontreated osteosarcoma of the right distal radius, diagnosed 21 months prior. On physical examination, an abdominal mass was palpated. The abdominal mass was aspirated and cytologically diagnosed as a neuroendocrine tumor, suspected to be a pheochromocytoma. Laboratory examination revealed a mild anemia and thrombocytopenia, markedly elevated ATP and ALP activities, and moderate hypercalcemia. A low-dose dexamethasone suppression test and endogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentration were compatible with pituitary hyperadrenocorticism. On urinalysis, proteinuria was noted as well as a high urine metanephrine/creatinine ratio, consistent with a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. The dog was treated with supportive care and euthanized 6 months later due to decreasing quality of life. On necropsy, an extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma (paraganglioma) was diagnosed in the caudal abdomen, and a pituitary adenoma and an osteosarcoma of the right distal radius were confirmed.
Authored: Robat C, Houseright R, Murphey J, Sample S, Pinkerton ME
Published: Vet. Clin. Path. 2016 Sep 45 (3):484-9

Objective: The objective of this study was to retrospectively evaluate response and outcome of dogs with multicentric lymphoma treated with single-agent vinblastine as a second rescue.
Authored: Lenz JA, Robat C, Stein TJ
Published: J Small Anim Pract 2016 Jun 1

Abstract: Amputation and chemotherapy are the mainstay of treatment for canine appendicular osteosarcoma (OSA). In vitro studies have demonstrated anti-tumour activity of pamidronate against canine OSA. The purpose of this study was to assess the safety of adding pamidronate to standard post-operative carboplatin chemotherapy in 17 dogs with appendicular OSA treated with limb amputation. Median disease-free interval (DFI) and median survival time (MST) were evaluated as secondary endpoints. Incidence of side effects and treatment outcomes were compared to 14 contemporary control patients treated with carboplatin alone. There were no identified side effects to the pamidronate treatment. The median DFI for the study group was 185 days compared to 172 days for the control group (P = 0.90). The MST of the study group was 311 days compared to 294 days for the control group (P = 0.89). Addition of pamidronate to carboplatin chemotherapy for the treatment of canine appendicular OSA is safe and does not impair efficacy of standard carboplatin treatment.
Authored: Kozicki AR, Robat C, Chun R
Published: Vet Comp Oncol. 2015;13:229-36

Abstract: A seven-year-old domestic shorthair cat, adopted 5 years previously with a corneal perforation of the left eye, was presented for investigation of a left orbital mass. Computed tomography revealed a metallic foreign body within a contrast-enhancing, heterogeneous orbital mass. Large cell lymphoma was diagnosed from a fine needle aspirate. The cat staged negatively and was treated with L-asparaginase, prednisolone and three fractions of radiation therapy. A rapid clinical remission was obtained and the cat remained in remission for 3 years after therapy. This is the first report of large cell lymphoma likely occurring secondary to a foreign body.
Authored: Robat C, Bemelmans I, Marescaux L
Published: J Small Anim Pract. 2015

Abstract: A 10-year-old spayed female Holland Lop-mix pet rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was evaluated because of purulent-hemorrhagic discharge from the right ear canal and a suspected mass within that ear canal.
Authored: Budgeon C, Mans C, Chamberlin T, Stein J, Drees R, Robat C, et al
Published: J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2014;245:227-31

Authored: Robat C, Cesario L, Gaeta R, Schrempp D, Miller M, Chun R
Published: J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2013;24:1448-54

Objective: To determine whether doxorubicin-piroxicam combination is safe and has activity against transitional cell carcinoma in dogs.
Authored: Robat C, Burton J, Thamm D, Vail D,
Published: J Small Anim Pract. 2013;54:67-74

Abstract: Combining drugs with known single-agent activity that lack overlapping dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) and exert antitumour activity through different mechanisms could improve clinical outcome. As toceranib and vinblastine meet these requisites, a phase I trial was performed in combination in dogs with mast cell tumours. The DLT for the simultaneous combination was neutropenia and the maximally tolerated dose was vinblastine (1.6 mg m(-2) every other week) concurrent with toceranib (3.25 mg kg(-1) PO, every other day). This represents greater than a 50% reduction in dose intensity for vinblastine (compared with single-agent use) and as such does not support this combination based on current drug combination paradigms. Although a strict adherence to dose paradigms speaks against the combination, evidence of significant activity (71% objective response) and enhanced myelosuppression suggest additive or synergistic activity. A prospective randomized evaluation comparing this combination with standard single-agent treatments would seem prudent to interrogate this potential.
Authored: Robat C, London C, Bunting L, et al
Published: Vet Comp Oncol. 2012;10:174-83

Authored: Webb JL, Robat C
Published: Vet Clin Pathol. 2010;39:253-4

Objective:  To assess, in dogs with naturally occurring non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, pharmacokinetics, safety, and activity of GS-9219, a prodrug of the nucleotide analogue 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl) guanine (PMEG), which delivers PMEG and its phosphorylated metabolites to lymphoid cells with preferential cytotoxicity in cells with a high proliferation index such as lymphoid malignancies.
Authored: Vail DM, Thamm DH, Reiser H, Ray AS, Wolfgang GH, Watkins WJ, Robat C, et al
Published: Clin Cancer Res 2009;15(10):3503-10

Objective: Primary pulmonary histiocytic sarcoma (PHS) has been reported, but is not well characterized. The aim of this retrospective study was to describe clinical characteristics, characterize prognostic factors and report the outcome of a larger group of dogs with primary PHS. 
Authored: Marlowe KW, Robat CS, Clarke DM, Taylor A, Touret M, Husbands BD, Vail DM
Published: Vet Comp Oncol 2018 Dec; 16(4): 658-663

Abstract: The medical records of 87 dogs treated with surgery for cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) of the haired skin were retrospectively reviewed for overall survival time (OST), progression-free survival time (PFS), and prognostic factors. The post-surgery median PFS and median OST were 1282 days and 1363 days, respectively. The post-surgery metastatic rate was 21.8% with a local recurrence rate of 8%. Increasing mitotic index (MI) was predictive of a significantly decreased OST and PFS on multivariable analysis [hazard ratio (HR): 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02 to 1.07 and HR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.06, respectively]. Increasing age was likewise predictive of a significantly decreased OST and PFS on multivariable analysis (HR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.17 to 1.65 and HR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.54, respectively). These results confirm clinical impressions that long survival times are likely in dogs diagnosed with malignant melanoma of the haired skin when treated with surgery alone.
Authored: Laver T, Feldhaeusser BR, Robat CS, Baez JL, Cronin KL, Buracco P, Annoni M, Regan RC, McMillan SK, Curran KM, Selmic LE, Shiu KB, Clark K, Fagan E, Thamm DH
Published: Canadian Veterinary Journal 2018

Objective: To define and compare clinical characteristics of canine primary appendicular hemangiosarcoma (HSA) and telangiectatic osteosarcoma (tOSA), including signalment, presentation, response to treatment, and prognosis.
Authored: Giuffrida MA, Kamstock DA, Selmic LE, Pass W, Szivek A, Mison MB, Boston SE, Fox LE, Robat C, Grimes JA, Maritato KC, Bacon NJ
Published: Vet Surg. 2018 Aug; 47(6):774-783

Abstract: Compounding of drugs for use in veterinary oncology is becoming increasingly common. We obtained 15 mg cyclophosphamide capsules from five different compounding pharmacies and performed potency analyses at two time points, as well as stability at 60 days. Potency results for four out of five and zero out of five (4/10) samples analysed were inadequate. Stability at 60 days was acceptable for all but one sample. This pilot study raises several important points of concern when compounding chemotherapy in dogs and cats. Further studies are necessary to solidify this data. Collaboration between pharmacists, veterinarians and regulatory bodies is needed to ensure safe and accurate delivery of compounded drugs to client-owned animals.
Authored: Robat C, Budde J
Published: Vet Comp Oncol. 2017 Se; 15(3):706-709

Abstract: One of the primary objectives of the Oncology Pathology Working Group (OPWG), a joint initiative of the Veterinary Cancer Society and the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, is for oncologists and pathologists to collaboratively generate consensus documents to standardize aspects of and provide guidelines for oncologic pathology. Consensus is established through review of relevant peer-reviewed literature relative to a subgroup's particular focus. In this document, the authors provide descriptions of the literature reviewed, the review process, and a summary of the information gathered on immunocytochemistry. The intent of this publication is to help educate practitioners and pathologists on the process of immunocytochemistry and to provide a guide for the use of this technique in veterinary medicine. This document represents the opinions of the working group and the authors and does not constitute a formal endorsement by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists or the Veterinary Cancer Society.
Authored: Priest HL, Hume KR, Killick D, Kozicki A, Rizzo VL, Seelig D, Snyder LA, Springer NL, Wright ZM, Robat C
Published: Vet Comp Oncol. 2017 Sep; 15(3):868-880

Objective: To describe clinical presentation, determine treatment response rates and duration, and report overall survival of dogs with CP.
Authored: Boostrom BO, Moore AS, DeRegis CJ, Robat C, Freeman K, Thamm DH
Published:  J Vet Intern Med. 2017 Jul 31(4):1074-1080

Abstract: Companion birds are increasingly living longer due to improved husbandry, nutrition, and veterinary care. As a consequence, a growing number of geriatric disease conditions are diagnosed and managed by veterinarians. Awareness of bird owners of diagnostic and treatment options for neoplastic diseases in humans and domestic animals has led to increasing demand to provide advanced diagnostic and treatment modalities for companion birds diagnosed with neoplasia. Treatment remains challenging in many companion birds due to the lack of information regarding prognosis and efficacy of antineoplastic treatments in these species. There is no established standard of care for most tumors in companion birds.
Authored: Robat CS, Ammersbach M, Mans C
Published: Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract.2017 Jan 20(1):57-86

Authored: Young NL, Houseright RA, Robat CS
Published: Vet Clin Pathol 2016 Dec 45(4):717-718