5-year survey of methotrexate, cyclophosphamide (Endoxan), and vincristine (MEV) therapy for advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Five courses of a combination chemotherapy regimen with methotrexate, cyclophosphamide (Endoxan), and vincristine were given to 64 patients, 37 with lymphocytic lymphoma (LL) and 27 with histocytic lymphoma (HL). Eighteen of the 37 patients with LL (48%) achieved a complete remission (CR); 12 of these 18 patients have been in CR for 20--58 months. Among the complete responders only two died. Twenty-two of the 27 patients with HL (81%) achieved CR and 12 of these patients are still in CR. Ten of the complete responders have been relapse-free for 24--70 months and five have been relapse-free for greater than 60 months. Clinical and hematologic tolerance was such that the interval between each course had to be prolonged in only three of the 64 patients and, with the exception of vincristine, the dosages were not reduced.