LONG-TERM SURVIVAL ADVANTAGE OF MACOP-B OVER CHOP IN INTERMEDIATE-GRADE NON-HODGKINS-LYMPHOMA

Background: The initial publication of the results of the Australian a nd New Zealand Lymphoma Group (ANZLG) randomized controlled trial comp aring MACOP-B and CHOP in patients with intermediate-grade non-Hodgkin 's lymphoma (NHL) showed equivalent complete response rates, time to t reatment failure, and survival. Here we report the long-term follow-up of the 236 patients entered on that study to determine if there were any long-term advantages or disadvantages associated with MACOP-B. Pat ients and methods: Two hundred thirty-six eligible patients were rando mized between October 1986 and June 1991. The median duration of follo w-up has been extended from 3.2 years in our previous publication to 6 .5 years. Results: As previously reported, the complete response (CR) rate for MACOP-B and CHOP chemotherapy was 51% and 59%, respectively. The estimated failure-free survival rate for MACOP-B and CHOP patients was 42% and 30%, respectively, at 5 years (P = 0.045) and 37% and 25% , respectively, at 8 years (P = 0.057). The estimated overall survival rare at 5 years was 54% for MACOP-B and 41% for CHOP patients (P = 0. 035) and at 8 years was 45% and 36%, respectively (P = 0.16). Conclusi on: With this extended follow-up, we have shown a long-term survival a dvantage for MACOP-B chemotherapy over standard CHOP in patients with intermediate-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.