Lomustine, etoposide, vindesine, and dexamethasone (CEVD) in Hodgkin's lymphoma refractory to cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (COPP) and doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD): a multicenter trial of the German Hodgkin Study Group.

Thirty-two patients with advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma resistant to cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (COPP) and doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) were treated with a salvage chemotherapy regimen consisting of lomustine, etoposide, vindesine, and dexamethasone (CEVD). Twenty-seven patients were treated because of primary resistance to COPP/ABVD, and five patients were treated in early relapse (less than 12 months) after COPP/ABVD-induced complete remission. Fourteen patients (44%) achieved complete remission, and four patients achieved partial remission, with an overall response rate of 56%. Two partial responders achieved complete remission after additional radiotherapy. Four of five patients in early relapse after COPP/ABVD achieved complete remission. Consolidation radiotherapy was given for only one complete responder. Median duration of complete remission is greater than 10 months, and median survival is greater than 26 months. The treatment was well-tolerated. The main side effects were leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, mild nausea/vomiting, and cushingoid side effects. CEVD is a very active and well-tolerated salvage chemotherapy regimen in patients with Hodgkin's disease resistant to or relapsing after COPP and ABVD.