Combination Chemotherapy for Advanced Hodgkin's Disease with Vincristine, Cyclophosphamide, Procarbazine, and Prednisolone

Abstract

Thirty-three patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease were treated with a combination chemotherapy consisting of vincristine 1mg/m² iv on day 1, 8, cyclophosphamide 500mg/m² iv on day 1, procarbazine 100mg/m² p.o. day 1-7, and prednisolone 40mg/m² p.o. day 1-7. Twenty patients received this regimen every 4 weeks (VCPP II regimen). Furthermore, we conducted higher dose intensive VCPP II-2 regimen which was repeated every two weeks for thirteen patients. Complete response rate of both regimens was 63% (VCPP II 45%, VCPP II-2 85%). The median duration of CR was 37+ months. Leukopenia, neurotoxicity and gastrointestinal toxicity were commonly observed but were clinically manageable. These results indicate that high dose intensive chemotherapy is effective for achieving high CR rate for advanced Hodgkin's disease.