A cooperative study on ProMACE-CytaBOM in aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas

Chemotherapy using cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, etoposide, cytarabine, bleomycin, vincristine, methotrexate with leucovorin, and prednisone (ProMACE-CytaBOM) for patients with intermediate or high grade non-Hodgkin lymphomas (G, H and K according to the Working Formulation), was tested by the Gruppo Cooperativo Lombardo to confirm the activity of the regimen and to test the feasibility and safety of administering third-generation drug regimen in a cooperative group setting. Among 64 previously untreated patients, aged between 20 and 71 years, 7 had stage IB-IIB, 12 had stage IIIA-B, 45 (67%) had stage IVA-B. There were 44 complete remissions (CRs) (69%) and 14 partial remissions (22%); the difference between patients in stage I-II-III (84% complete remissions) and those in stage IV (62% complete remissions) was statistically significant. The median length of follow up was 20 months (range 1-60 months), with 56% of patients alive at 60 months and 53% of CRs patients free of disease at 60 months. Patients in stage I-II-III have the best survival and disease free survival compared to stage IV, 87% versus 42% and 72% versus 32% respectively (both with high statistical significance). Grade 3-4 (WHO) haematological toxicity was observed in 39% of patients, with 3 septic deaths. Two more patients died with chemotherapy related toxicity (1 stroke and 1 acute renal insufficiency). Administration of ProMACE-CytaBOM is a feasible and safe regimen although it presents moderate toxicity. ProMACE-CytaBOM may represent improved treatment for aggressive lymphomas, in terms of duration of response and survival, but a longer follow up is needed.