Treatment of AIDS-related non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with a twelve week chemotherapy program

Current treatment options for acquired-immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) are unsatisfactory because of excessive toxicity rates and frequent recurrence of lymphoma. In this phase II study, we evaluated a novel 12 week chemotherapy program with respect to feasibility, toxicity and therapeutic results. Thirty HIV-seropositive patients with intermediate grade or small non-cleaved cell NHL received a 12 week program of weekly intravenous and oral chemotherapy consisting of etoposide, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, bleomycin, vincristine, methotrexate and prednisone as well as biweekly intrathecal cytosine arabinoside. Prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) and candida were given routinely. The overall objective response rate was 73% with 33% complete responders. The time to progression for those stable or responding was 9.4 months. Five of 10 complete responders are well and free of disease 13.2 to 24.5 months from diagnosis. Median survival for the 30 patients was 8.1 months. NHL was the most common cause of death (13/22); opportunistic infection caused only one death (cryptococcal meningitis). Only 1 case of PCP occurred. The major toxicity was neutropenia. In conclusion this regimen resulted in response rates similar to other reports with acceptable toxicity and a very low incidence of PCP. Relapse of NHL remains a major challenge, however, and further studies are needed. Routine PCP prophylaxis should be incorporated into new trials of therapy for AIDS-related NHL.