Etoposide in combination as first‐line chemotherapy for advanced Hodgkin disease. A cancer and leukemia group B study

Jeffrey J. Kirshner, James R. Anderson, Barbara Parker, Maurice Barcos, M. Robert Cooper, Linda J. Burns, Bruce A. Peterson, Arlan J. Gottlieb

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3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. In a pilot study, Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) incorporated etoposide into primary combination therapy for advanced Hodgkin disease. Methods. Thirty‐six evaluable patients were treated with two or three courses of methotrexate, vincristine, prednisone, leucovorin, etoposide, and cyclophosphamide (MOPLEC), and then treated with five to seven additional courses of a known “curative” regimen: nitrogen mustard, vinblastine, prednisone, and procarbazine (MVPP). Results. After treatment with MOPLEC, there were 16 complete responders (44%) and 18 partial responders (50%). One patient had progressive disease and one patient was taken off study after an anaphylactic reaction to etoposide. After completing the entire protocol, 32 patients achieved complete remission (CR) (89%) and 3 achieved partial remission (PR) (8%). Five CR patients have relapsed and three additional patients have died in CR without recurrence. At 36 months, the estimated failure‐free survival is 61% and overall survival is 72%. Conclusions. This combination, which includes etoposide, is active for the primary treatment of advanced Hodgkin disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1852-1856
Number of pages5
JournalCancer
Volume71
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 1993

Keywords

  • Hodgkin disease
  • chemotherapy
  • etoposide
  • pilot study

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