[Evaluation of the response of advanced diffuse large cell lymphomas (LSG classification) to weekly CHOP therapy]

"Weekly CHOP" therapy characterized by reduced dosages of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and vincristine, was evaluated in 33 patients with advanced diffuse large cell lymphomas (LSG classification). There were 19 complete responders (59%) and 8 partial responders (25%) with a response rate of 84%. A prolonged disease-free survival rate (survival plateau) of 60% was considered comparable to the results of second-generation chemotherapies. The response was poor in patients with high grade malignancy (large cell, immunoblastic category in Working Formulation for Clinical Usage) as well as in patients with bone marrow invasion.