Chlvpp is as Effective as Alternating ChlvppAbod in Advanced Stage Hodgkin's Disease

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy and tolerability of two cytostatic regimens-chlorambucil, vinblastine, procarbazine and prednisone (ChlVPP) vs. ChlVPP alternating with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vincristine and dacarbazine (ABOD). One hundred eligible patients with stage IIIA-IVB Hodgkin's disease were randomized to either ChlVPP or ChlVPP alternating with ABOD. The complete response rate (CR) was 80% in both treatment groups. After a median follow-up time of 59 months, 42 (84%) of the patients in the ChlVPP-treated group were in CR compared with 39 (78%) treated with ChlVPP/ABOD. The estimated five-year overall and relapse-free survival rates were 87% and 74%, respectively, for the ChlVPP-treated patients and 76% and 73% for the ChlVPP/ABOD-treated patients. The ChlVPP regimen showed a slightly better subjective tolerance than the ChlVPP/ABOD regimen. The given dose intensity was very close to optimal, and equal for the two regimens.