Combinations of methotrexate (COP or CHOP) in the treatment of previously untreated and treated lymphomas.

A regimen consisting of two courses of methotrexate (MTX) with leucovorin rescue followed 1 week later by cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (MTX-COP) was studied in ten patients with disseminated diffuse non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who had had no prior chemotherapy. A similar regimen with the addition of doxorubicin (MTX-CHOP) was used for patients who had had previous chemotherapy: 11 with diffuse non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and two with Hodgkin's disease. The response rate to initial MTX administration was 55%, and the clinical onset of effect was usually observed within 48 hours. Responses were observed in previously treated and untreated patients. The remission rate was 100% with both regimens. There were seven complete remissions with MTX-COP and six with MTX-CHOP. The median durations of remission were 23 and 13 months, respectively; median survival was not reached in either group. MTX was well-tolerated by both groups of patients without serious toxic effects. Overall, significantly more hematologic toxicity was observed in previously treated patients; however, no life-threatening toxic effects were observed in either group. The incorporation of MTX and other antimetabolites into schedules of chemotherapy for previously treated and untreated patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is well tolerated and deserved further exploration.