[Salvage chemotherapy with a combination of VP-16, ifosfamide, procarbazine, prednisolone, bleomycin and methotrexate (VIPP-BM) for refractory malignant lymphoma].

Twenty patients with refractory malignant lymphoma were treated with a combination of VP-16, ifosfamide, procarbazine, prednisolone, bleomycin and methotrexate (VIPP-BM) as salvage chemotherapy. These patients were either resistant to front-line therapy or refractory in their relapses. Two patients (10%) achieved a complete remission and eleven patients (55%) attained a partial remission. An overall response rate was 65%. Major toxicities were myelosuppression, nausea and vomiting, and mucositis. However they were well tolerated. This regimen has been effective in the treatment for the patients with refractory lymphoma.