title: The F-MACHOP regimen in the treatment of aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: a single center experience in 72 patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since July 1991 we have employed the F-MACHOP regimen for the treatment of aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the response rate and the toxicity of this chemotherapy program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-two consecutive patients entered the study and were treated with the F-MACHOP regimen for 6 planned courses, given every 21 days. G- or GM-CSF were administered whenever required.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-six patients (92%) obtained a response: 38 (53%) a complete remission (CR) and 28 (39%) a partial remission (PR); 4 (6%) proved to be resistant and 2 (3%) died of chemotherapy-related toxicity. Fifty-seven patients with a good performance status were subsequently selected to undergo autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). During chemotherapy, grade III-IV neutropenia was observed in 59% of the patients; a significant drop in hemoglobin levels was detected, with blood transfusions being required in 21% of the cases; platelet counts were unaffected. The main extrahematological toxic events were: alopecia (100% of the patients), osteoarthromyalgias (58%), grade I-II neuropathy (53%) and grade I-II hepatic toxicity (43%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study confirms the efficacy of the F-MACHOP regimen in obtaining a high rate of response (CR + PR) in most aggressive NHL cases, with an acceptable toxicity and a low rate of toxic deaths. This regimen enables the majority of patients to be selected for ASCT as consolidation therapy without significant toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, University Hospital, Udine, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Infanti
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Silvestri
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fanin
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Salmaso
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zaja
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barillari
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Patriarca
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Geromin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cerno
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Damiani
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baccarani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D017567:Karnofsky Performance Status; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D012074:Remission Induction; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D003561:Cytarabine; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D005472:Fluorouracil; D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate