Cemp, a mitoxantrone containing combination, in the treatment of intermediate and high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: An effective and non toxic therapeutic alternative for adult and elderly patients

Here we report the results: of a randomised multicenter phase III clinical trial which assesses the therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of a chemoth erapy protocol CEMP (cyclophosphamide, etoposide, mitoxantrone and predniso ne) in adult and elderly patients with advanced intermediate and high-grade NHL. Between October 1991 and October 1995, 139 patients, aged 55 to 79 years, w ith diffuse intermediate and high-grade lymphoma, were enrolled. A consider able percentage of patients had clinically aggressive disease: 32.4% had sy stemic symptoms, 79% had stage III or IV disease, 33.8% had bone marrow inv olvement, 46% had splenic involvement and 42.5% had increased values of ser um lactate dehydrogenate. Complete remission was achieved in 70 of the 139 patients (51.9%) and PR in 12 (16.6%) with an overall response of 68.5%. Th e overall response survival rate at 6 years was 39%, whereas DFS rare was 4 8.7% and PFS rate was 28.5%. At four years 49% of the patients were still i n CR. Dividing the patients in two groups. under and over 65 years of age, we obtained the same results as far as overall response is concerned. No to xic deaths occured, neither cardiac. renal nor liver complications happened . CEMP regimen is an effective and safe protocol with good results in elder ly people, well comparable to those achieved in younger ones.