[Comparative study of advanced-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma patients treated with either COPP or ABVD drug combinations]

Between January 1985 and March 1988, 45 patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease were randomly assigned to receive either COPP (22 patients) or ABVD (23 patients). 9 and 16 patients achieved complete remission in the COPP and ABVD groups, respectively. One of the complete responders (COPP) relapsed during the follow-up. Patients treated with COPP experienced myelosuppression and neurotoxicity more frequently whereas alopecia and gastrointestinal symptoms were observed among those receiving ABVD. Present data confirm the favorable impact of primary ABVD treatment in advanced Hodgkin's disease.