A new combination chemotherapy for resistant Hodgkin disease.

A new four-drug combination chemotherapeutic regimen (BVDS) was used in the treatment of advanced Hodgkin disease resistant to MOPP (mechlorethamine hydrochloride, vincristine sulfate, procarbazine hydrochloride, and prednisone). The BVDS regimen, consisting of 12 cycles of bleomycin sulfate, vinblastine sulfate, doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin), and streptozocin (streptozotocin), was administered to ten patients. Responses were seen in five (50%) of these patients. Complete remissions occurred in three (30%). These results suggest that BVDS is an effective alternative regimen to MOPP, and may be of benefit not only to patients resistant to MOPP, but also to newly-diagnosed patients with advanced hodgkin disease when combined sequentially with MOPP.