[A preliminary study of vincristine, methotrexate, and prednisolone (VM*P) combination chemotherapy for advanced adult non-Hodgkin's lymphoma].

The VMP combination chemotherapy was administered to 13 patients with advanced (Stage III and IV) non-Hodgkin's lymphoma refractory to previous multiagent chemotherapy including cyclophosphamide (EX) and/or adriamycin (ADM). 1) Complete response was obtained in two patients with diffuse histiocytic lymphoma and one patient with diffuse undifferentiated (Burkitt type) lymphoma, and a response rate was 46.2%. 2) Tumor regression in responders was recognized within one week after administration of VMP, but the duration of response was only 7(2-17) weeks in median (range). 3) Positive correlation was not seen between responsibility and dose of vincristine or methotrexate (MTX), but complete responders were obtained with only over 30 mg/dose of MTX. 4) In spite of resistant cases against EX and/or ADM, complete responders were obtained with VMP therapy. Clinically, it was shown that cross resistance was minimal among MTX, EX and ADM. 5) Major side effects of VMP therapy were myelosuppression (75%), hepatotoxicity (46%), and severe infection (23%). Neurotoxicity and nephrotoxicity were rare.