EORTC STUDY OF NON-HODGKINS-LYMPHOMA - PHASE-III STUDY COMPARING CHVMP-VB AND PROMACE-MOPP IN PATIENTS WITH STAGE-II, STAGE-3, AND STAGE-4 INTERMEDIATE-GRADE AND HIGH-GRADE LYMPHOMA

In the EORTC lymphoma cooperative group, a randomized phase III study was done for patients with stage II, III, IV intermediate- and high-gr ade lymphoma. Eight courses of CHVmP-VB were compared to eight courses of ProMACE-MOPP. Response was evaluated after 8 courses. Of 430 patie nts entered, 346 were eligible for this first analysis. Additional rad iotherapy was given at initial large masses or residual disease after three courses. Response rate was higher in the CHVmP-VB arm in compari son to the ProMACE-MOPP arm, 82% vs. 65% (p < 0.0005). In the ProMACE- MOPP arm, treatment had to be interrupted because of patient refusal i n 7% of the patients. So far there has been no significant difference in freedom from progression at 5 years (49% vs. 47%), relapse-free sur vival (59% vs. 59%), or overall survival (55% vs. 49%). Patients with early response at 4 courses showed no better RFS in comparison with la te responders between 4 and 8 courses. The International Index, based on age, stage, SLDH, performance status, and number of extranodal loca lizations showed a good prognostic significance in this series of pati ents.