Intensive chemotherapy regimen in high-grade non Hodgkin's lymphomas

Between February 1982 and June 1984, 36 previously untreated patients with high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) according to the Kiel classification were treated with an intensive therapeutic regimen including cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, prednisone, cytarabine, VM 26 and local radiotherapy on bulky disease. Twenty-three patients (64%) achieved a complete remission and 11 patients (30%) had a partial response. Over a median follow-up from the diagnosis of 32.5 months, the overall survival was 55%; relapse-free survival for complete responders was 56.5%. Toxicity was irrelevant. This regimen was effective in the treatment of high-grade NHL, but probably needs intensification and rotation of different drugs.