Advanced low grade non hodgkin's lymphoma [LGL]; treatment results using cyclophosphamide, fludarabine, and prednisone [CFP]

ABSTRACT

Fludarabine has been shown to be an effective agent in the treatment of low grade lymphoma; either used alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents. It maintains its efficacy both for newly diagnosed cases as well as for patients with recurrent progressive low grade Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma [RPLGL]. This an open phase II study of CFP chemotherapy regimen conducted in patients with advanced LGL to explore the efficacy of this regimen and its toxicity profile. Between January 1998 and March 2000 41 patients aged 42-69 years [median 54] were enrolled to this multicenter study. All of the 37 evaluable patients, were allocated to receive 6 cycles of cyclophosphamide 300 mg/m[2] intravenously [IV.] day 1-3[DI-3], Fludarabine 25 mg/m[2] I.V.D 1-3 and prednisone 40 mg/m[2] PO, Dl-5. Chemotherapy cycles were repeated every 28 days for 6 cycles. Of the 37 evaluable patients. 20 patients [54%] had recurrent progressive disease [RPLQL], while 17 patients [46%] were newly diagnosed advanced LGL [stage; II bulky. III, and IV]. Clinical response to treatment was evaluated immediately after the completion of the chemotherapy schema, and defined according to categories; complete remission [CR], partial remission [PR]. The overall response rate for the whole group was 86% [32/37 patients]. Eleven patients [3 0%] achieved CR, and 21 patients [56%] achieved PR. Patients with newly diagnosed LGL had better