[Remission maintenance therapy of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with CHOP protocol]

We have retrospectively studied the problems concerning duration of maintenance therapy and chemotherapy regimens for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treated at Shikoku Cancer Center Hospital. Four out of 15 complete remission cases had been in complete remission more than 3 years. Maintenance chemotherapy consists of CHOP protocol administering every 4 weeks and the median maintenance duration was 14 months with a median cycle of 14. Thereafter, patients have been followed up without receiving any therapy. The prospective study on maintenance therapy should be designed considering conditions such as 1) sufficient drug doses for cytocidal effects, 2) shorter maintenance period as possible, and 3) minimal side effects and complications to be expected.