title: Intensified ABVP chemotherapy for the primary treatment of Hodgkin's disease.
abstract: This report describes the results of a multicenter study designed to determine the efficacy and toxicity of a novel combination (ABVP) in patients with newly diagnosed Hodgkin's disease. The ABVP protocol is a modification of ABVD in which prednisone is substituted for DTIC. In order to attempt an increase in drug intensity, doxorubicin, bleomycin and vinblastine were administered on days 1 and 8 of each cycle, and a new cycle began on day 22. Patients who developed phlebitis were allowed to receive the drugs every two weeks. Patients with bulky mediastinal disease received involved field radiation therapy after chemotherapy. Fifty-one patients were treated. Complete remission was achieved in 40 patients (78%). Actuarial failure-free survival in 55 months was 59%, and overall survival was 81%. The overall survival for the 32 patients treated with the intensified regimen was higher than that for those who switched to the bi-weekly schedule (89% vs. 68%, p=0.03). ABVP appears to be equivalent to ABVD. The higher overall survival rate in patients treated every 21 days suggests that this intensified schedule might be more effective. The placement of a Port catheter is recommended, due to the high incidence of phlebitis.
authors.affiliation: Hematology Service, School of Medicine and University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 22461-150, Brazil. spector@ufrj.br
authors.forename: Nelson
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Spector
authors.forename: Mario Alberto
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Jose Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Morais
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Biasoli
authors.forename: Cristiana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Solza
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Fatima Gaui
authors.forename: Carlos Gil
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Rodrigo Doyle
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Portugal
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loureiro
authors.forename: Marcio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nucci
authors.forename: Wolmar
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pulcheri
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010689:Phlebitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014750:Vincristine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D001761:Bleomycin; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D011239:Prednisolone