RESUMEN
PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and toxicity of a new protocol that consists of CHOP- Bleo alternated with a new regimen of Cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, etoposide, and dexamethasone(CMED) for aggressive Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma(NHL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1991 and December 1996, forty-six patients with Ann Arbor stages II-IV aggressive NHL were treated with alternating cycles of CHOP-Bleo and CMED for a total of 12 cycles. All eligible patients were evaluated for response, disease-free survival, and overall survival. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients(47.8%) achieved a complete response and overall response rate was 83.9%. The range of survival duration was 1-68+months and the median survival time was 42 months. Overall 3-year survival rate was 54%. The range of disease-free survival time was 6-63+months and 3-year disease-free survival rate was 61%. The most common hematologic toxicity was leukopenia and the incidence of severe leukopenia(<1,000/mm3) was 11%. And alopecia(84.8%) was the most common non-hematologic toxicity. CONCLUSION: The results of CHOP-Bleo/CMED alternating chemotherapy for patients with aggressive Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma is not superior to other results of previous studies. Therefore further study will be warranted to determine clinical effectiveness of alternating chemotherapy.