title: Human immunodeficiency virus-related non-Hodgkin lymphoma: activity of infusional cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and etoposide as second-line chemotherapy in 40 patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prognosis of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is poor. In fact, despite a high complete response (CR) rate, approximately 50% of these patients die from progressive lymphoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  From November 1994 to April 2000, the authors treated 40 patients with resistant or recurrent HIV-related NHL with a 96-hour continuous intravenous infusion of cyclophosphamide (187.5 mg/m(2) per day), doxorubicin (12.5 mg/m(2) per day), and etoposide (60 mg/m(2) per day).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median number of cycles administered was two (range, one to six cycles). A CR was documented in 4 of 40 patients (10%), and a partial remission (PR) was documented in 7 of 40 patients (18%). The CR median duration was 6 months (range, 4--30+ months), whereas PRs lasted for 5 months (range, 2--8 months). The overall median survival was 4 months (range, < 1--33 months), and the median survival for responding patients was 10 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current data confirm that infusional cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and etoposide is active in patients with refractory or recurrent HIV-related NHL. However, the median survival of these patients remains poor, and the other innovative approaches should be used.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology A, National Cancer Institute, Aviano (PN), Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spina
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vaccher
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Juzbasic
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Milan
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nasti
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Talamini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fasan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antinori
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nigra
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tirelli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D016483:Lymphoma, AIDS-Related / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005047:Etoposide; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide