Etoposide in combination as first-line chemotherapy for advanced Hodgkin disease. A Cancer and Leukemia Group B study.
BACKGROUND
In a pilot study, Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) incorporated etoposide into primary combination therapy for advanced Hodgkin disease.


METHODS
Thirty-six evaluable patients were treated with two or three courses of methotrexate, vincristine, prednisone, leucovorin, etoposide, and cyclophosphamide (MOPLEC), and then treated with five to seven additional courses of a known "curative" regimen: nitrogen mustard, vinblastine, prednisone, and procarbazine (MVPP).


RESULTS
After treatment with MOPLEC, there were 16 complete responders (44%) and 18 partial responders (50%). One patient had progressive disease and one patient was taken off study after an anaphylactic reaction to etoposide. After completing the entire protocol, 32 patients achieved complete remission (CR) (89%) and 3 achieved partial remission (PR) (8%). Five CR patients have relapsed and three additional patients have died in CR without recurrence. At 36 months, the estimated failure-free survival is 61% and overall survival is 72%.


CONCLUSIONS
This combination, which includes etoposide, is active for the primary treatment of advanced Hodgkin disease.
Kirshner
J J
JJ
S.U.N.Y. Health Science Center.
Anderson
J R
JR
Parker
B
B
Barcos
M
M
Cooper
M R
MR
Burns
L J
LJ
Peterson
B A
BA
Gottlieb
A J
AJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008466:Mechlorethamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011344:Procarbazine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
D011344:Procarbazine; D008466:Mechlorethamine; D014750:Vincristine; D014747:Vinblastine; D005047:Etoposide; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011239:Prednisolone; D002955:Leucovorin; D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate