title: A prospective study of VEC-POB and POCE chemotherapy in aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
abstract: The optimal combination and scheduling of chemotherapy for aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is unclear, and the elderly have a poor tolerance to treatment. A Phase II prospective study was undertaken using outpatient weekly combination chemotherapy: the VEC-POB (etoposide, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, Oncovin, bleomycin, and prednisone) regimen in patients < 60 years and less intensive POCE (etoposide, Oncovin, cyclophosphamide, and epirubicin) in patients > or = 60 years. All patients with intermediate and high-grade lymphoma (International Working Formulation) with bulky disease and/or advanced stages (III, IV) seen between January 1991 and June 1992 were entered. Of 29 patients treated with VEC-POB, 23 patients (79%) achieved complete remission (CR), with one (3%) toxic death. Overall survival at 29 months is 67%, and disease-free survival at 60 months is 60%. Of 29 patients treated with POCE, 14 achieved CR, with three (10%) toxic deaths. Overall survival is 58% at 18 months, and disease-free survival at 10 months is 50%. Adverse prognostic factors were analyzed. The results are comparable to the best results achieved with other regimens, and toxicity is acceptable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ezzat
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Raja
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abd El-Warith
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Rhydderch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D001761:Bleomycin; D015251:Epirubicin; D014750:Vincristine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone