[Etoposide combination chemotherapy for malignant lymphoma: a report of 91 cases]

From August 1984 to August 1994 ninety-one caese of malignant lymphoma (NHL 84 casese, HD 7 cases) were treated with Etoposide (VP-16) combinationn chemotherapy. In 70 evaluable patients, 18 achieved CR, 35 PR, total response rate was 75.7%, response time (RT) 1-79 months, medium response time (MRT) 9 months, survival time (ST) 2-79 months, medium survival time (MST) 12 months. The therapeutic efficacy was better than VP-16 alone. The major side effects were myelosuppression and gastrointestinal toxicity. In COPEP, CHEP, PEP and IEP regimens, best result was seen in COPEP (CTX + VCR + PYM + VP-16 + PDN), with a response rate of 93%. Authors suggest that COPEP protocol could be the first line treatment for patients with malignant lymphoma who did not tolerate anthracycline drugs and the second line treatment for anthracycline-resistant patients.