Augmented therapy of extensive Hodgkin's disease: radiation to known disease or prolongation of induction chemotherapy did not improve survival--results of a Cancer and Leukemia Group B study.
OBJECTIVE
This prospective randomized trial in extensive untreated Hodgkin's disease was undertaken to assess the potential benefit of augmented therapy (12 months chemotherapy or radiation to known disease) compared to standard 6 months chemotherapy.


METHODS
A total of 258 patients, mostly Stage IV, were randomized to four treatment regimens consisting of six cycles of CCNU, vinblastine, procarbazine, and prednisone (CVPP); 12 cycles of CVPP; six cycles of CVPP followed by 25 Gy radiotherapy; or three cycles CVPP, 25 Gy radiotherapy, and three cycles CVPP.


RESULTS
Complete remissions were achieved in 65% of all patients. A 58% overall 5-year survival rate was obtained. Relapses in irradiated areas of known disease occurred in only 6% of responding patients. There was, however, no statistical difference in response frequency, disease-free survival, or overall survival among the four regimens. Elderly patients responded less frequently.


CONCLUSIONS
While radiotherapy provided control of local (known) disease, no impact on overall survival was apparent. Likewise, doubling the duration of chemotherapy did not improve response or survival. Augmentation of therapy with either radiotherapy or more chemotherapy in this study was of no benefit compared to the standard 6 months of treatment.
Coleman
M
M
New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, NY 10021, USA.
Rafla
S
S
Propert
K J
KJ
Glicksman
A
A
Peterson
B
B
Nissen
N
N
Brunner
K
K
Holland
J F
JF
Anderson
J R
JR
Gottlieb
A
A
Kaufman
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008130:Lomustine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011344:Procarbazine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D011344:Procarbazine; D014747:Vinblastine; D008130:Lomustine; D011241:Prednisone