Integrative concept on the treatment of highly malignant non-Hodgkin lymphomas
Havemann, K.; Köppler, H.; Kaiser, U.; Pfreundschuh, M.
Praxis 85(12): 353-356
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 1661-8157 PMID: 8643897 Document Number: 456050
With CHOP, the standard protocol for the treatment of high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, about 40% of long term survival has been reported. A recent randomized comparison of CHOP vs. ProMACE-Cyta-BOM vs. m-BACOD vs. MACOP-B showed no advantage of these third generation protocols. The analysis of prognostic factors in several controlled trials and the results of the International Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Prognostic Factors Project identified stage, LDH, performance status and number of extranodal sites as the most important pretreatment factors. Already the pretreatment LDH-level (normal vs. enhanced) defines accurately cohorts of patients with low or high risk. Based on these results two cooperative trials were initiated: In trial A we are currently evaluating in a randomised fashion the concept of high dose chemotherapy (BEAM) with autologous stemcell rescue vs. a standard treatment for high risk patients < 60 years. In trial B low risk patients or high risk patients > 60 years are randomised to receive either CHOP or CHOEP at two or three weeks intervals.