Intensified ABVP chemotherapy for the primary treatment of Hodgkin's disease.
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.
Spector
Nelson
N
Hematology Service, School of Medicine and University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 22461-150, Brazil. spector@ufrj.br
Costa
Mario Alberto
MA
Morais
Jose Carlos
JC
Biasoli
Irene
I
Solza
Cristiana
C
De Fatima Gaui
Maria
M
Ferreira
Carlos Gil
CG
Portugal
Rodrigo Doyle
RD
Loureiro
Monique
M
Nucci
Marcio
M
Pulcheri
Wolmar
W
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*
D001761:Bleomycin; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D011239:Prednisolone