[Acute signs and symptoms of toxicity due to the BOPP regimen (BCNU, vincristine, procarbazine, cisplatin) during treatment of high-grade astrocytoma].

BOPP chemotherapy regimen was introduced in patients with high-grade astrocytoma after surgery and radiotherapy. There were 10 anaplastic astrocytomas and 19 multiforme glioblastomas. Protocol consisted of BCNU 50 mg/m2, days 1-3, Vincristine 1,4 mg/m2 (max 2 mg), day 1, Procarbazine 50 mg/m2, days 1-7 and Cisplatin 20 mg/m2, days 1-3. All patients received at least three cycles of BOPP chemotherapy. The used toxicity criteria corresponded to ECOG. We observed 12 changes in WBC, 29 changes in haemoglobin, 18 changes in platelets and 11 changes in hematocrite. All patients had nausea and vomiting. We also observed 4 neurologic toxicities. Toxicities we observed responded favourably to standard means of therapy which can suggest either shortening of the interval between the cycles or increasing the dose per cycle.