Toxicity and efficacy of lomustine and bevacizumab in recurrent glioblastoma patients.

The combination of lomustine and bevacizumab is a commonly used salvage treatment for recurrent glioblastoma (GBM). We investigated the toxicity and efficacy of lomustine plus bevacizumab (lom-bev) in a community-based patient cohort and made a comparison to another frequently used combination therapy consisting of irinotecan plus bevacizumab (iri-bev). Seventy patients with recurrent GBM were treated with lomustine 90 mg/m2 every 6 weeks and bevacizumab 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks. Toxicity was registered and compared to the toxicity observed in 219 recurrent GBM patients who had previously been treated with irinotecan 125 mg/m2 and bevacizumab 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks. The response rate was 37.1% for lom-bev and 30.1% for iri-bev. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 23 weeks for lom-bev and 21 weeks for iri-bev (p = 0.9). Overall survival (OS) was 37 weeks for lom-bev and 32 weeks for iri-bev (p = 0.5). Lom-bev caused a significantly higher frequency of thrombocytopenia (11.4% grade 3-4) compared to iri-bev (3.5% grade 3-4). Iri-bev patients had more gastrointestinal toxicity with regard to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and stomatitis. Within the limitations of the study lom-bev is a well-tolerated treatment for recurrent GBM, although hematological toxicity may be a dose limiting factor. No significant differences between lom-bev and iri-bev were observed with regard to PFS or OS. The differences in toxicity profiles between lom-bev and iri-bev could guide treatment decision in recurrent GBM therapy as efficacy is equal and no predictive factors for efficacy exist.

Estrogen and soy isoflavonoids decrease sensitivity of medulloblastoma and central nervous system primitive neuroectodermal tumor cells to chemotherapeutic cytotoxicity.

BACKGROUND: Our previous studies demonstrated that growth and migration of medulloblastoma (MB), the most common malignant brain tumor in children, are stimulated by 17ß-estradiol. The growth stimulating effects of estrogens are mediated through ERß and insulin-like growth factor 1 signaling to inhibit caspase 3 activity and reduce tumor cell apoptosis. The objective of this study was to determine whether estrogens decreased sensitivity of MB cells to cytotoxic actions of chemotherapeutic drugs. METHODS: Using in vitro cell viability and clonogenic survival assays, concentration response analysis was used to determine whether the cytoprotective effects of estradiol protected human D283 Med MB cells from the cytotoxic actions of the MB chemotherapeutic drugs cisplatin, vincristine, or lomustine. Additional experiments were done to determine whether the ER antagonist fulvestrant or the selective ER modulator tamoxifen blocked the cytoprotective actions of estradiol. ER-selective agonists and antagonists were used to define receptor specificity, and the impacts of the soy-derived phytoestrogens genistein, daidzein, and s-equol on chemosensitivity were evaluated. RESULTS: In D283 Med cells the presence of 10 nM estradiol increased the IC50 for cisplatin-induced inhibition of viability 2-fold from ~5 µM to >10 µM. In clonogenic survival assays estradiol decreased the chemosensitivity of D283 Med cells exposed to cisplatin, lomustine and vincristine. The ERß selective agonist DPN and low physiological concentrations of the soy-derived phytoestrogens genistein, daidzein, and s-equol also decreased sensitivity of D283 Med cells to cisplatin. The protective effects of estradiol were blocked by the antiestrogens 4-hydroxytamoxifen, fulvestrant (ICI 182,780) and the ERß selective antagonist PPHTP. Whereas estradiol also decreased chemosensitivity of PFSK-1 cells, estradiol increased sensitivity of Daoy cell to cisplatin, suggesting that ERß mediated effects may vary in different MB celltypes. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that E2 and environmental estrogens decrease sensitivity of MB to cytotoxic chemotherapeutics, and that ERß selective and non-selective inhibition of estrogen receptor activity blocks these cytoprotective actions. These findings support the therapeutic potential of antiestrogen adjuvant therapies for MB, and findings that soy phytoestrogens also decrease sensitivity of MB cells to cytotoxic chemotherapeutics suggest that decreased exposure to environmental estrogens may benefit MB patient responses to chemotherapy.

Plasma lipid profiling of different types of hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride and lomustine in rats.

BACKGROUND: Plasma lipid profiling has emerged as a useful tool for understanding the pathophysiology of hepatic injury and disease. Hepatic fibrosis results from chronic, progressive damage to the liver and can lead, in turn, to more serious conditions such as hepatic cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the plasma lipid profiles of two types of hepatic fibrosis in order to aid the understanding of the pathophysiology of hepatic fibrosis. METHODS: A liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry platform was used to reveal and compare the plasma lipid profiles of two types of chemical-induced hepatic fibrosis. Rat models of centrilobular fibrosis and bile duct fibrosis were established via chronic exposure to the known fibrogenic hepatotoxins, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) or lomustine (LS), respectively, over a 28-day period. To delineate the specific alterations in the lipid profiles as a result of the hepatic fibrosis, we also employed non-fibrogenic hepatotoxicants (2-acetamidofluorene, N-nitrosodiethylamine, and ethambutol) as well as 3-day treatment of CCl4 and LS, which did not induce fibrosis. RESULTS: Our assay platform identified 228 lipids in the rat plasma, and the global lipid profile clearly distinguished these models from the control via principal component analysis. In addition, the alteration of the plasma lipid profile caused by CCl4 and LS were clearly different. Furthermore, a number of lipids were identified as specific alterations caused by fibrosis induced only by CCl4 and LS, respectively. Three lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC[18:3], LPC[20:4], and LPC[22:6]), and three phosphatidylcholines (PC[18:2/20:4], PC[40:8], and PC[20:4/22:6]) are specific circulating lipids, the levels of which were altered by both CCl4 and LS treatment; however, their levels were decreased by chronic exposure to CCl4 and increased by chronic exposure to LS. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that different types of chemical-induced hepatic fibrosis demonstrate clear differences in their plasma lipid profiles. Our study provides insights into the alteration of plasma lipidomic profiles as a result of the fibrosis of different parts of the hepatic lobule, and may help to understand the pathophysiology of different types of hepatic fibrosis.

Clinical and laboratorial evaluation of dogs with cutaneous lymphoma treated with lomustine / Avaliação clínica e laboratorial de cães com linfoma cutâneo tratados com lomustina

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the clinical response of dogs with cutaneous lymphoma treated with lomustine (CCNU) and to identify possible adverse effects and toxicity during treatment. Fifteen dogs, seven females and eight males aged between five and 17 years old, diagnosed with cutaneous lymphoma by histopathological analysis were selected and treated with lomustine at 90 mg/m² every three weeks. Monitoring was carried out and consisted of the assessment of laboratory hematology and serum chemistry before and during treatment. Partial response was observed in 53.3% of the animals. None of the animals achieved a complete response and seven dogs (46.6%) had progressive disease. The median survival time was 22 days. The major hematological and biochemical changes found after therapy were leukopenia (73.3%), thrombocytopenia (60%) and anemia (46.1%). Renal and liver toxicity was observed in 40% and 73.3% of dogs, respectively. Hematocrit, total protein, leukocyte count, neutrophil count, serum creatinine, ALT, GGT, alkaline phosphatase and urine specific gravity were affected during therapy. The use of lomustine as a monotherapy in the treatment of canine cutaneous lymphoma was effective; however, adverse effects occurred and compromised the quality of life of the majority of dogs in this study. Therefore, lower doses of lomustine should be considered in future studies...

O objetivo deste estudo prospectivo foi avaliar a resposta clínica de cães com linfoma cutâneo tratados com lomustina (CCNU) e identificar possíveis efeitos adversos e toxicidade durante o tratamento. Quinze cães, sendo 7 fêmeas e 8 machos, com idades entre 5 e 17 anos diagnosticados com linfoma cutâneo por avaliação histopatológica foram selecionados e tratados com lomustina na dose de 90 mg/m2 a cada três semanas. Os cães foram monitorados por avaliação hematológica e bioquímica sérica antes e durante o tratamento. A resposta parcial foi observada em 53,3% dos animais. Nenhum dos animais apresentou resposta completa e sete animais (46,6%) apresentaram progressão da doença. O tempo médio de sobrevida foi de 22 dias. As principais alterações hematológicas e bioquímicas observadas após o tratamento foram leucopenia (73,3%), trombocitopenia (60%) e anemia (46,1%). Sinais de toxicidade renal e hepática foram observados em 40% e 73,3% dos cães, respectivamente. Durante o tratamento foram afetados os parâmetros hematócrito, proteínas séricas totais, contagem de leucócitos, contagem de neutrófilos, creatinina sérica, ALT, GGT, fosfatase alcalina e densidade urinária. O uso de lomustina como monoterapia no tratamento do linfoma cutâneo canino foi efetivo; entretanto, efeitos adversos ocorreram e comprometeram a qualidade de vida da maioria dos animais neste estudo. Assim, sugere-se que doses mais baixas de lomustina sejam consideradas em estudos futuros...

Salvage therapy with lomustine for temozolomide refractory recurrent anaplastic astrocytoma: a retrospective study.

There is no standard therapy for recurrent anaplastic astrocytoma (AA). Assess response and toxicity of lomustine (CCNU) in recurrent AA following prior surgery, radiotherapy and TMZ in a retrospective case series. Thirty-five adults (18 males; 17 females: median age 42.5 years) with TMZ refractory recurrent AA were treated with lomustine. Seven patients were treated at 1st recurrence and 28 patients were treated at 2nd recurrence. Prior salvage therapy included re-resection in 19, TMZ in 20 and radiotherapy in 7. A cycle of lomustine was defined as 110 mg/m(2) on day 1 only administered once every 6-8 weeks. Success of treatment was defined as progression free survival at 6 months of 40 % or better. Grade 3 or 4 toxicities included anemia (14 patients), constipation (1), fatigue (4), lymphopenia (5), nausea/vomiting (2), neutropenia (8) and thrombocytopenia (10). No grade five toxicities were seen. The median number of cycles of therapy was 3 (range 1-6). Best radiographic response was progressive disease in 14 (40 %), stable disease in 19 (54 %) and partial response in 2 (5.7 %). Median progression free survival (PFS) was 4.5 months (range 1.5-12 months), 6-month PFS was 40 % and 12 month PFS was 11.4 %. Median survival after onset of CCNU was 9.5 months (range 2.5-15 months). Median overall survival was 2.7 years (range 1.7-4.3). In this small retrospective series of patients with recurrent AA refractory to TMZ, lomustine appears to have modest single agent with manageable toxicity. Confirmation in a larger series of similar patients is required.

Treatment of large low-grade oligodendroglial tumors with upfront procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine chemotherapy with long follow-up: a retrospective cohort study with growth kinetics.

We treated patients with newly diagnosed and large low-grade oligodendroglial tumors with upfront procarbazine, CCNU and vincristine (PCV) in order to delay radiotherapy. Patients were treated with PCV for a maximum of 6 cycles. The response to treatment was defined according to the RANO criteria; in addition change over time of mean tumor diameters (growth kinetics) was calculated. Thirty-two patients were treated between 1998 and 2006, 18 of which were diagnosed with 1p/19q co-deleted tumors. Median follow-up duration was 8 years (range 0.5-13 years). The median overall survival (mOS) was 120 months and the median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 46 months. Growth kinetics showed an ongoing decrease of the mean tumor diameter after completion of chemotherapy, during a median time of 35 months, but an increase of the mean tumor diameter did not herald progression as detected by RANO criteria. 1p/19q co-deletion was associated with a significant increase in OS (mOS 83 months versus not reached for codeleted tumors; p = 0.003)) and PFS (mPFS 35 months versus 67 months for codeleted tumors; p = 0.024). Patients with combined 1p/19q loss had a 10 year PFS of 34 % and the radiotherapy in these patients was postponed for a median period of more than 6 years. This long-term follow-up study indicates that upfront PCV chemotherapy is associated with long PFS and OS and delays radiotherapy for a considerable period of time in patients with low-grade oligodendroglial tumors, in particular with combined 1p/19q loss.

Lomustine loaded chitosan nanoparticles: characterization and in-vitro cytotoxicity on human lung cancer cell line L132.

The aim of this work was to prepare chitosan nanoparticles loaded with antineoplastic drug Lomustine (LCNPs), by ionic-gelation method with homogenization. The nanoparticles were characterized for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), surface morphology, encapsulation efficiency, in-vitro drug release and cytotoxicity on human lung cancer cell line L132 by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The particle size, zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency of prepared nanoparticles ranged from 75 ± 1.1 to 637 ± 1.6 nm (PDI from 0.05 ± 0.001 to 0.18 ± 0.007), 37.2 ± 0.21 to 53.8 ± 0.18 mV and 66.74 ± 1.4 to 98.0 ± 1.8% respectively. The particles were spherical in shape with smooth surface in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. Mechanical shearing by homogenization treatment significantly changed the nanoparticle size. The drug release rate was biphasic and diffusion controlled over the 8 h. LCNPs greatly inhibited the growth of the L132 cancer cell line used in this study in comparison to the native Lomustine (LMT).

Effect of the spin-labelled 1-ethyl-1-nitrosourea on CCNU-induced oxidative liver injury.

This study was carried out to determine the effects of 1-ethyl-3-[4-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl)]-l-nitrosourea (SLENU), recently synthesised in our laboratory, and vitamin E as positive control on 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) - free radical induced oxidative injuries in the liver of mice. Specifically, alterations in malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) level and activities of some antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), were measured in liver homogenates from tumour-bearing C57 black mice after treatment with solutions of CCNU (30 mg/kg) and SLENU (100 mg/kg), both administered intraperitoneally. CCNU-induced increase in MDA level, SOD and CAT activities were suppressed by SLENU. The present results and those from a previous report demonstrated superoxide scavenging activities (SSA) of the nitrosourea SLENU and enabled us explain the protective effect of the spin-labelled nitrosourea on CCNU-induced oxidative stress in the liver of mice. This protective effect is through the scavenging of *O2- and by an increased production of *NO. Thus, a potential for developing new combination chemotherapy in cancer is seen.

MOPPEBVCAD chemotherapy with limited and conditioned radiotherapy in advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma: 10-year results, late toxicity, and second tumors.

PURPOSE: MOPPEBVCAD (mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone, epidoxirubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, lomustine, doxorubicin, and vindesine) chemotherapy with limited radiotherapy was devised in 1987 to reduce late toxicity and second tumor incidence while trying to improve effectiveness through increases of dose intensity and dose density. Late results, toxicity, and second tumor incidence were reviewed in all the patients treated. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The drugs of three previous alternating regimens [CAD (lomustine, melphalan, and vindesine), MOPP (mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone), and ABV (doxorubicin, bleomycin, and vinblastine)] were intensified and hybridized, the cumulative dose of mechlorethamine was lowered, and irradiation was delivered to no more than two sites either bulky or partially responding to chemotherapy. RESULTS: A total of 307 previously untreated advanced-stage patients underwent MOPPEBVCAD chemotherapy. Radiotherapy was delivered to 118 of 307 patients (38%). Remission was complete in 290 patients (94%). With a median follow-up of 114 months, 10-year overall, disease-free, and failure-free survival rates were 79%, 84%, and 71%, respectively. Forty-two patients relapsed and 60 died. The causes of death were Hodgkin's lymphoma in 36 patients, second neoplasms in 12, cardiorespiratory diseases in 4, pulmonary diseases in 2, and unknown in 6. Sixteen second tumors (of which nine were myelodysplasia and/or acute leukemia) were diagnosed in all. Outside this series of 307 patients, MOPPEBVCAD obtained complete responses in 12 of 15 relapsed and 9 of 9 refractory patients who had previously been treated with other regimens. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical response and long-term results are very satisfactory, whereas the second tumor incidence was lower than would have been expected with MOPP analogues. Given its response/late toxicity balance, MOPPEBVCAD does not undermine the leading role of ABVD as first-line regimen but can be indicated as a very effective second-line conventional therapy.

The toxicological study of CCNU controlled release film in vivo.

We planted the Lomustine (CCNU) controlled release films into normal mice, and after a period of time observed the effects of the films on the blood cells and the brain nerve cells of the mice. Compared with the traditional administration (PO), the results indicated that the planted CCNU controlled release film had less effects on the blood cells, and caused less harm to the brain nerve cells. So the conclusion was that the planted CCNU controlled release film had no significant acute arrest of bone marrow and neural toxicity.

Spin labeled antioxidants protect bacteria against the toxicity of alkylating antitumor drug CCNU.

We have studied the toxic effect of the alkylating antitumor drug N'-cyclohexyl-N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea (lomustine, CCNU) on Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) strains, alone and in presence of oxygen radical-scavenging substances [Vitamin E, stable nitroxyl radical 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TMPO), and spin labeled (nitroxyl free radical moiety containing) analogues of CCNU] and compared with that of the alkylating antitumor drug 5-(3,3-dimethyltriazene-1-yl)-imidazole-4-carboxamide (dacarbazine, DTIC). All spin labeled compounds tested were almost no toxic at doses of 50-500 microM/ml, whereas the alkylating antitumor drug CCNU showed toxicity in a dose dependent manner. Even low doses of spin labeled nitrosoureas provided protection against the toxicity caused by the antitumor drug CCNU alone. The lowest toxicity against E. coli and S. aureus were achieved when 500 microM/ml of CCNU was combined with 200 microM/ml of spin labeled nitrosourea N-[N'-(2-chloroethyl)-N'-nitrosocarbamoyl]-glycine amid of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-aminopiperidine-1-oxyl (SLCNUgly). A combination of TMPO with vitamin E completely abolished the toxicity of CCNU. Endogenous formation of oxygen radicals and their possible involvement in CCNU toxicity towards the bacteria strains tested have been also discussed.

Protection of hematopoietic cells from O(6)-alkylation damage by O(6)-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase gene transfer: studies with different O(6)-alkylating agents and retroviral backbones.

Overexpression of O(6)-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) can protect hematopoietic cells from O(6)-alkylation damage. To identify possible clinical applications of this technology we compared the effect of MGMT gene transfer on the hematotoxicity induced by different O(6)-alkylating agents in clinical use: the chloroethylnitrosoureas ACNU, BCNU, CCNU and the tetrazine derivative temozolomide. In addition, various retroviral vectors expressing the MGMT-cDNA were investigated to identify optimal viral backbones for hematoprotection by MGMT expression. Protection from ACNU, BCNU, CCNU or temozolomide toxicity was evaluated utilizing a Moloney murine leukemia virus-based retroviral vector (N2/Zip-PGK-MGMT) to transduce primary murine bone marrow cells. Increased resistance in murine colony-forming units (CFU) was demonstrated for all four drugs. In comparison to mock-transduced controls, after transduction with N2/Zip-PGK-MGMT the IC50 for CFU increased on average 4.7-fold for ACNU, 2.5-fold for BCNU, 6.3-fold for CCNU and 1.5-fold for temozolomide. To study the effect of the retroviral backbone on hematoprotection various vectors expressing the human MGMT-cDNA from a murine embryonic sarcoma virus LTR (MSCV-MGMT) or a hybrid spleen focus-forming/murine embryonic sarcoma virus LTR (SF1-MGMT) were compared with the N2/Zip-PGK-MGMT vector. While all vectors increased resistance of transduced human CFU to ACNU, the SF1-MGMT construct was most efficient especially at high ACNU concentrations (8-12 microg/ml). Similar results were obtained for protection of murine high-proliferative-potential colony-forming cells. These data may help to optimize treatment design and retroviral constructs in future clinical studies aiming at hematoprotection by MGMT gene transfer.

Bleomycin, lomustine, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine and prednisone (BLEO-CCVPP) in patients with Hodgkin's disease who relapsed after radiotherapy alone: a long-term follow-up study of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (E3481).

Thirty-three evaluable patients with Hodgkin's disease who failed radiotherapy were treated on this phase II study with bleomycin, lomustine, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine and prednisone given every 28 days for a minimum of eight courses. Twenty-five patients (76%; 95% CI=55.6-87.1%) achieved a complete remission, the median duration of which cannot yet be determined, but the probability of remaining in continuous complete remission at 10 years is.64. The median survival from entry on this study for all evaluable patients is 10 years, and 12 patients were alive at the time of this analysis with a median follow-up for them of 15.5 years. Of the 22 patients who died, 11 died of progressive or recurrent Hodgkin's disease and 11 died of other causes including 7 second primary neoplasms and at least one myocardial infarction. Both are now well known late complications of Hodgkin's disease treatment.

PCV chemotherapy for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme.

The authors evaluated response, time to progression (TTP), survival, prognostic factors, and toxicity in 63 patients with a recurrent glioblastoma multiforme treated with procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine (PCV) chemotherapy. Complete and partial response was observed in two (3%) and five patients (8%). In 16 patients (25%), stable disease was observed. Median TTP and survival were 13 and 33 weeks. Age < 40 years and Karnofsky Performance Status > or = 90 were associated with longer TTP and survival. PCV treatment was generally well tolerated.

Efficacy and toxicity of a CCNU-containing high-dose chemotherapy regimen followed by autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation in relapsed or refractory Hodgkin's disease.

High-dose CBV (cyclophosphamide, carmustine, and etoposide) in combination with autologous HCT achieves survival rates of approximately 50% at 5 years in recurrent or refractory Hodgkin's disease (HD). However, carmustine (BCNU) dose-dependent pulmonary toxicity occurs in 20% to 30% of patients. A decreased incidence of interstitial pneumonitis as well as a possible benefit in efficacy has been reported with lomustine (CCNU) compared to BCNU in the standard dose setting. In a dose-escalation study, we substituted CCNU for BCNU in the CBV regimen for 16 patients with HD (n = 12) or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 4). Based on the promising results, an additional 47 consecutive patients with HD were treated with the following regimen: CCNU (15 mg/kg) orally on day -6, etoposide (60 mg/kg) intravenously on day -4, and cyclophosphamide (100 mg/kg) intravenously on day -2. Peripheral blood progenitor cells and/or bone marrow were infused on day 0. With a median follow-up for the surviving patients of 3.2 years (range, 0.8-9.9 years), the 3-year overall survival rate was 57% (CI, +/-15%), event-free survival was 52% (CI, +/-14%), and freedom from progression was 68% (CI, +/-14%). There were 21 deaths, 10 due to HD. Six patients died due to respiratory failure. Interstitial pneumonitis occurred in 63% of patients and could not be correlated with prior chest radiotherapy. This regimen demonstrated survival rates similar to those of historical studies that used the CBV regimen. However, the incidence of interstitial pneumonitis was in excess of expected.

Lomustine and melphalan cannot be replaced by cyclophosphamide and etoposide without reducing efficacy in MOPPEBVCAD chemotherapy for advanced Hodgkin's disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility, toxicity and preliminary results of a potentially less toxic variant of the MOPPEBVCAD chemotherapy regimen for advanced Hodgkin's disease: MOPPEBVCyED, in which cyclophosphamide and etoposide replace lomustine and melphalan, respectively, with the remaining components being unaltered. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study was multicenter, prospective and randomized, and enrolled 67 patients with newly diagnosed stage IIB, III, IV Hodgkin's disease (62 were expected on the grounds of statistical considerations). Radiotherapy was restricted to sites of bulky involvement or to areas that responded incompletely to chemotherapy. Median follow-up was 48 months. RESULTS: Comparing MOPPEBVCAD vs. MOPPEBVCyED, the results were as follows: complete remissions 35/35 vs. 30/32 (plus one partial remission and one disease progression); relapses 5 vs. 8; deaths 2 (one of myelodysplasia) vs. 2; delivered mean dose intensity (DI): lomustine 0.79+/-0.67 vs. cyclophosphamide 0.82+/-0.32; melphalan 0.80+/-0.13 vs. etoposide 0.86+/-0.18; average DI of the 7 drugs common to both regimens 0.73+/-0.10 vs. 0.83+/-0.11; all 9 drugs 0.75+/-0.13 vs. 0.84+/-0.09 (p=0.002); projected 5-year failure-free survival 0.79 vs 0.62; second cancers, two myelodysplasias vs. one carcinoma of the kidney. Toxicities were not statistically different except for heavier thrombocytopenia being recorded with MOPPEBVCAD. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: The higher cumulative and single drug DI recorded with MOPPEBVCyED may reflect better short-term tolerability, but it does not lead to better disease control. Its late toxicity may be expected to be lower in the future but at present it does not seem to be a sufficient reason to substitute MOPPEBVCyED for MOPPEBVCAD.