Résumé
PURPOSE: We conducted a phase II study to determine the antitumor activity of BACOD/EISHAP alternating 9-drug chemotherapy in previously untreated patients with intermediate or high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Intermediate or high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients were treated with BACOD/EISHAP (bleomycin, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, dexame thasone/etoposide, ifosfamide, high dose cytarabine, cisplatin, dexamethasone) alternating com bination chemotherapy. Stage I and IIA lymphoma patients were excluded. BACOD/EISHAP alternating chemotherapy was given to the eligible patients every 3 weeks/4 weeks respectively. RESULTS: Between April, 1995 and December, 1997, among 25 eligible patients, 19 patients were evaluable for response. Six patients could not be evaluated for response because of follow-up loss within 2 cycles of chemotherapy. Complete response (CR) was achieved in 12 patients (63%) after BACOD/EISHAP alternating combination chemotherapy. With a follow-up period of 41 months (25~57 months), the disease free survival did not reach median (4~47 months) and 3-year disease free survival rate was 75%. Major toxicity was marrow suppression and the incidence of severe leukopenia (WBC<2,000/mm3) and thromobocytopenia (<25,000/mm3) were 15%, 5%, respectively. No treatment-related death was observed. For non-hematologic toxicities, nausea and vomiting were observed in 65% of patients, stomatitis in 25%, peripheral neuropathy in 20%. CONCLUSION: BACOD/EISHAP alternating chemotherapy was feasible with acceptable toxicities. The 63% complete response rate was comparable to other regimens but 75% 3year disease-free survival rate was encouraging. Further evaluation of this regimen is warranted.