P-COMM-B INDUCTION CHEMOTHERAPY IN INTERMEDIATE AND HIGH-GRADE NON-HODGKINS-LYMPHOMA

57 patients with newly diagnosed intermediate or high grade non-Hodgki n's lymphoma with stage II to IV disease were treated with P-COMM-B (p rednisolone, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, mitozantrone, methotrexate and bleomycin). 46% patients achieved a complete remission and 26% ac hieved a partial remission. Projected disease-free survival in complet e remission at 5 years is 56% and projected overall survival at 5 year s is 37%. Neutropenia and proximal myopathy were the commonest severe toxicities encountered and two deaths were clearly related to treatmen t (3.5%). P-COMM-B is effective first-line chemotherapy in intermediat e and high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, The efficacy and toxicity of P-COMM-B appear to be comparable to those of the best contemporary reg imen, CHOP.