An alternating chemotherapy combination (MACOBLE) for intermediate and high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
From June 1983 to February 1986, 48 patients with intermediate or high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) received a CHOP based combination with the addition of etoposide on days 1 and 2, bleomycin days 1 and 10 and methotrexate 1.5 g/m2 on day 10 (MACOBLE). Their median age was 59 years, 20 (42 per cent) had an ECOG performance status (PS) of 2 or 3, 24 (50 per cent) had stage IV disease, 25 (52 per cent) B symptoms and 21 (44 per cent) bulk (greater than 10 cm) disease. With a median follow-up of 62 months, 12 patients are alive, 10 of whom are disease-free. Median overall survival was 13 months (95 per cent confidence interval 6-23 months) with actuarial 5-year survival of 25 per cent (95 per cent confidence interval 13-37 per cent). Factors associated with inferior survival were ECOG PS 2 or 3 (P = 0.004), B symptoms (P = 0.013) and bulk disease (P = 0.017). These data suggest that, when treating an unselected patient population, attempts to increase the intensity of first-line chemotherapy may not improve the outcome.
Harding
M
M
Department of Medical Oncology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Scotland.
McNulty
L
L
Paul
J
J
Lee
F
F
Dunlop
D
D
Soukop
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D001761:Bleomycin; D014750:Vincristine; D005047:Etoposide; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate