Diffuse large cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: results of M-BACOD combination chemotherapy

Twenty-seven adult patients with diffuse large cell lymphoma were treated with the M-BACOD regimen during the period 1980-86. Of these, 24 (89%) had advanced Stage III-IV disease by clinical staging and only 3 (11%) had limited disease. CR was achieved in 14 patients (52%), all of whom had advanced disease prior to therapy. The remaining 13 patients (48%) achieved only PR. Of the entire group of 27 patients, 11 (41%) died, 12 (44%) are still in CR, and 4 (15%) have relapsed and are still alive with PR. Of the 14 patients who achieved CR, 1 relapsed, but is currently in PR, showing minimal disease. All of these 14 patients are alive (11 months to 6 years post therapy), and 13 (93%) still remain in CR with a median time of CR of 45 months. Of the 13 patients who only achieved PR, 11 (85%) relapsed and died within a median time of 3.6 months, and 2 patients remain in PR. The above results are similar to those obtained in larger series recorded from other centers. In the light of improved results obtained with new regimens and ABMT, we have now adopted the MACOP-B regimen for treating aggressive lymphoma and have entered an ABMT program for patients with predictable poor prognostic features.