Epipodophyllotoxin (VP 16-213) in the treatmetn of diffuse histiocytic lymphoma

Twenty-seven patients with diffuse histiocytic lymphoma, of whom 20 had failed to respond to all other forms of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, were treated with intravenous VP 16-213. Initial dramatic response was obtained in 5 (19%), good objective response in 12 (4%), and the remaining 10 (37%) either failed to respond or thad only minimal objective change in theri disease status. The response characteristically occured within two courses of therapy, but 8 of the 17 (47relapsed at this stage resulted in remission again begin achieved in these patients. It is concluded that VP 16-213 is an effective agent in diffuse histiocytic lymphoma, but it is of limited value when used as a single agent. This drug has surprisingly little myelotoxicity, and prospective studies are now in progress to evaluate its role in combination therapy.