Fifty-five patients with untreated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma received C-MOPP therapy between 1974 and 1987.
Twenty-six patients failed to achieve complete remission (CR), while the remaining 29 patients achieved CR.
Comparing non-CR with CR patients, there seemed to be no difference in prognostic factors such as sex, age, initial ESR and LDH level, presence of B-symptoms, histology, presence of advanced stage, and extranodal involvement. According to the pattern of response to C-MOPP, 24 non CR patients except 2 cases which were lost to follow up, could be classified into the following 5 categories.
Type (1) (relative resistance), 4 patients showed tumor regression of more than 50% of the initial size, but could not achieve CR; Type (2) (intercycle relapse), 8 patients showed regrowth of regressing tumors before nex drug cycle started; Type (3) (resistance), 5 patients showed tumor regression of less than 50% of the initial size; Type (4) (early death), 1 patient who had ATL associated with disseminated strongloidosis; Type (5) (inadequate therapy), 6 patients received inadequate doses of procarbazine because of side effects.
In order to overcome the unresponsiveness noted in patients categorised as Type (1) through Type (3), more intensive multidrug-therapy should be given as frequently as possible.
