Combination Chemotherapy of Lymphomas Other Than Hodgkin's Disease

The efficacy and toxicity of two regimens of combination chemotherapy were compared in patients with lymphoma, other than Hodgkin's disease, in pathologic stage IV. Patients were assigned by unrestricted randomization to receive either vincristine and prednisone or cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (COPP). Patients who didn't have complete remission on vincristine and prednisone were switched to COPP. In the randomized trial COPP was superior to vincristine and prednisone, in the rates of induction of complete remission, which were 58% and 14%, respectively (P < 0.005). Of 32 patients receiving COPP, the rate of induction of complete remission was 59% and the median length of complete remission was greater than 18 months. COPP produced a complete remission in 18 of 26 patients with lymphoma other than histiocytic lymphoma. These results compare favorably with those of previously reported regimens. The value of COPP in patients with lymphoma seems to have been shown.