title: Combinations of methotrexate (COP or CHOP) in the treatment of previously untreated and treated lymphomas.
abstract: A regimen consisting of two courses of methotrexate (MTX) with leucovorin rescue followed 1 week later by cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (MTX-COP) was studied in ten patients with disseminated diffuse non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who had had no prior chemotherapy. A similar regimen with the addition of doxorubicin (MTX-CHOP) was used for patients who had had previous chemotherapy: 11 with diffuse non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and two with Hodgkin's disease. The response rate to initial MTX administration was 55%, and the clinical onset of effect was usually observed within 48 hours. Responses were observed in previously treated and untreated patients. The remission rate was 100% with both regimens. There were seven complete remissions with MTX-COP and six with MTX-CHOP. The median durations of remission were 23 and 13 months, respectively; median survival was not reached in either group. MTX was well-tolerated by both groups of patients without serious toxic effects. Overall, significantly more hematologic toxicity was observed in previously treated patients; however, no life-threatening toxic effects were observed in either group. The incorporation of MTX and other antimetabolites into schedules of chemotherapy for previously treated and untreated patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is well tolerated and deserved further exploration.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D002955:Leucovorin; D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate