Combinaed chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, vinblastine, procarbazine, and prednisone (CVPP) for patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease. An alternative program to MOPP

Abstract

Thirty-eight patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease were treated with a combination of cyclophosphamide, vinblastine, procarbazine, and prednisone (CVPP). Complete remissions were obtained in 74% of patients. Response rates were similar for previously untreated and previously extensively irradiated patients. Fifty-six percent of patients older than 50 and 50% of patients with bone marrow involvement responded. All patients with mixed cellularity Hodgkin's disease responded compared with 74% of patients with nodular sclerosis. At the present time the median duration of complete remission is 27+ months. However, of the responders, 75% (21 of 28) remain in continous complete remission for 14+ to 49+ months. Only five patients have relapsed but two have died from apparent sepsis without evidence of recurrent disease. The complete remission rate for CVPP is comparable of that for MOPP, CVPP is an easily administered, well-tolerated alternative to MOPP chemotherapy for patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease.