Alternating non-cross-resistant chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of intermediate-grade and high-grade malignancy. A pilot study.

Thirty-two patients with advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) with aggressive histologic findings were treated with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, methotrexate with leucovorin rescue, bleomycin, vincristine, etoposide, ifosfamide, and prednisolone (CAMBO-VIP), in which presumably non-cross-resistant myelosuppressive and nonmyelosuppressive agents were administered during alternate weeks for 12 weeks. To ensure the high-dose intensity of the protocol, dose reduction and delay in treatment were minimized. Three patients were treated inadequately. Twenty-six (89.7%) of 29 evaluable patients had a complete response, and three had a good partial response. Relapse occurred in four patients, with a median follow-up of 29 months. The actuarial overall survival and disease-free survival were estimated to be 87.6% and 75.9%, respectively. The CAMBO-VIP treatment was well tolerated; myelosuppression was severe but transient and caused no serious infections. Side effects that affected dose intensity were oral ulceration, occurring in 28 patients, and blister formation under the thickened skin of palms and/or soles, followed by desquamation (5 patients). Hepatic toxicity was generally mild to moderate; it was severe in one patient. A 12-week regimen of CAMBO-VIP was effective for advanced NHL with aggressive histologic findings.