[IEMAD (modified MIME) therapy for refractory or relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]

Abstract

The study was aimed to evaluate the effect of IEMAD (modified MIME) composed of isofosfamide, VM26 or VP16, methotrexate, cytarabine, dexamethasone or methylprednisolone, in treatment of refractory or relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Twenty-five patients with refractory or relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (11 refractory NHL patients, 14 relapsed NHL patients) were treated with IEMAD regimen. The results showed that the complete remission rate was 24.0% (6/25) and the partial remission rate was 28.0%, having an overall response rate of 52%. The median survival duration was 13 months and the median duration of progression-free survival was 8 months. The most frequent complications were gastrointestinal complaint (nausea, vomiting etc.) and myelosuppression. No treatment related mortality was found. It is concluded that the IEMAD (modified MIME) regimen may be a safe and effective regimen that can be used in treatment of patients with refractory or relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who did not respond to other regimens.