Intensive chemotherapy for adult lymphoblastic lymphomas

Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 1991;29(1):80-2. doi: 10.1007/BF00686341.

Abstract

A total of 20 adults patients presenting with previously untreated lymphoblastic lymphoma underwent an intensive chemotherapy protocol. Either the BACOP or the m-BACOD regimen was used for induction. If the patients achieved a complete clinical remission (CR) after three courses, they were given intensive consolidation and maintenance chemotherapy based on a protocol that was modified from the L10/L17M regimen of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering group for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma. Patients exhibiting localised areas of bulky disease were given additional involved-field radiotherapy. In all, 15 (75%) men and 5 (25%) women were entered in this study. Their median age was 28 years (mean, 30 years; range, 12-64 years). Overall, 3 (15%) had stage II disease, 3 (15%) had stage III disease and 14 (70%) had stage IV disease; 7 (35%) patients exhibited B symptoms and 4 (20%) had bulky disease. The overall (CR) rate was 10/20 (20%), and that following BACOP and m-BACOD therapy was 4/8 (50%) and 6/12 (50%), respectively. In all, 7 of the 10 complete responders (70%) relapsed. The disease-free survival of the ten who achieved a CR was 23% at 3 years. The overall survival of all 20 patients at 3 years was only 37%, and there were very few long-term survivors. More effective treatment for adult lymphoblastic lymphoma is required.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Bleomycin / administration & dosage
  • Bleomycin / adverse effects
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Cyclophosphamide / adverse effects
  • Dexamethasone / administration & dosage
  • Dexamethasone / adverse effects
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Doxorubicin / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leucovorin / administration & dosage
  • Leucovorin / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects
  • Middle Aged
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / mortality
  • Prednisone / administration & dosage
  • Prednisone / adverse effects
  • Remission Induction
  • Vincristine / administration & dosage
  • Vincristine / adverse effects

Substances

  • Bleomycin
  • Vincristine
  • Dexamethasone
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Leucovorin
  • Prednisone
  • Methotrexate

Supplementary concepts

  • CHOP-B protocol
  • M-BACOD protocol