Vindesine, etoposide (VP-16), and prednisolone (VEP) in relapsed patients with grade II non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Vindesine, etoposide (VePesid), and prednisolone (VEP) have been evaluated as a second-line combination regimen in 20 patients with grade II non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) who relapsed during or after first-line intensive therapy. The overall response rate was 40% (20% complete, of 9 to 13+ months' duration, and 20% partial, of 1.5 to 5 months' duration). The main toxicities were alopecia and myelosuppression (with two nonfatal cases of septicemia); nausea, vomiting, neurotoxicity, and skin and mucosal problems were relatively uncommon. VEP appears to be an active second-line regimen with acceptable toxicity in relapsed high-grade NHL patients.