title: Treatment outcomes of IMEP as a front-line chemotherapy for patients with peripheral T-cell lymphomas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to assess the treatment outcomes of ifosphamide, mesna, etoposide, and prednisolone (IMEP) combination regimen as a front-line chemotherapy in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical data of 38 newly diagnosed PTCLs patients who underwent IMEP at Busan Paik Hospital from January 2002 to December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall response rate was 68.5%, with 21 (55.3%) complete response/complete response unconfirmed and 6 (15.8%) partial response (PR). The median follow-up duration was 25.5 months (range, 0.2-87.3). The median overall survival was not reached and 2-year survival rate was 67%. The median progression free survival was 23 months. The most frequently reported adverse effects higher than grade 3 were hematologic toxicities including neutropenia (68.4%), thrombocytopenia (42.1%). There was no treatment-related mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IMEP regimen is effective and safe as a front-line chemotherapy in patients with PTCLs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hemato-Oncology, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hemato-Oncology, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hemato-Oncology, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Moon Young
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hemato-Oncology, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Ki Hyang
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hemato-Oncology, Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Don
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Joo
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hemato-Oncology, Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Nam
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Im
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hemato-Oncology, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Won Sik
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Lee
keywords: Etoposide; IMEP; Ifosphamide; Peripheral T-cell lymphomas; Prednisolone