title: A combination of mitoxantrone, etoposide and prednisone in elderly patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
abstract: From January 1988 to December 1991, 55 elderly patients (14 pretreated and 41 previously untreated) with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) entered a prospective study to evaluate the feasibility of a combination of mitoxantrone (7-9 mg/m2), VP 16-213 (150 mg, 2-hour infusion on day 1, and 200 mg per os on days 3 and 5) and low-dose prednisone (25 mg days 1-5) (MVP regimen), recycling every 21-28 days. The median age was 75 (range 64-93). All but 4 pretreated patients had intermediate- or high-grade lymphomas. Complete remissions were obtained in 22 of 40 (55%) evaluable previously untreated patients, and partial remissions in 10 (2 of these obtained complete remissions after radiotherapy), for an overall response rate of 80%. The median duration of response was 12 months. At 24 months the overall survival was 52% and the relapse-free survival was 31%. Of 14 pretreated patients complete remissions were obtained in 4 (29%) and partial remissions in 3. Granulocytopenia and fever were the most important side effects; two patients contracted bronchopneumonia and one of them died. Other toxicities were mild. We conclude that this combination chemotherapy is effective as first-line and salvage treatment in elderly patients with intermediate- and high-grade NHL, and that it is feasible on an outpatient basis, with manageable toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Oncologia Medica, Ospedale di Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salvagno
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Contu
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bianco
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Endrizzi
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Schintu
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Olmeo
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Aversa
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chiarion-Sileni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sorarù
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Fiorentino
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008942:Mitoxantrone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D005047:Etoposide; D008942:Mitoxantrone; D011241:Prednisone