Combination chemotherapy with nitrogen mustard, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone in lymphosarcoma and reticulum cell sarcoma

This study evaluates the use of a combination of 4 drugs—nitrogen mustard, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone—in 15 patients with generalized lymphosarcoma (LSA) and 8 patients with reticulum cell sarcoma (RCS). Of the 15 patients with LSA, there were 7 complete remissions (CR) and 5 partial remissions (PR). Among the 8 RCS patients, 3 achieved CR and 2 achieved PR. The mean duration of unmaintained complete remission calculated from therapy completion was 11.7+ mos. (0–25+) for LSA patients and 32+ mos. (23–37+) for RCS patients. Mean survival from the onset of therapy was 30.6+ mos. (18–45+) for the LSA patients achieving CR with 5 of 7 patients still surviving and 2 patients still free of disease. For RCS patients, survival was 30+, 42+, and 42+ mos. for the 3 patients achieving CR, with all 3 still free of disease. Moderate myelosuppression was produced. This combination of agents produces remissions of substantial duration in patients with LSA and RCS.