Alternating chemotherapy of CHOP-Bleo and POEM-Bleo for diffuse large-cell lymphoma: a single-institutional study with a long-term follow-up.

Diffuse large-cell lymphoma (DLCL) is a neoplasm that is curable with chemotherapy in an appreciable percentage of patients. However, not all patients are cured and the best drug combination and optimal dose intensity have not yet been established. In an attempt to improve complete response rate and survival with minimal toxicity, we devised an alternating combination chemotherapy consisting of CHOP-Bleo (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone, and bleomycin) and POEM-Bleo (prednisolone, vincristine, etoposide, mitoxantrone, and bleomycin). Between March 1986 and October 1990, 30 newly-diagnosed patients with advanced DLCL were treated with the regimen. Of these 30 patients, 14 (47%) were 61 years of age or more, 15 (50%) had stage IV disease, 14 (47%) presented with constitutional symptoms, and 7 (23%) had T-cell lymphoma. After the completion of therapy, 23 (77%) achieved a complete response and 6 (20%) had a partial response. The actuarial relapse-free survival at 5 years is 52% and the overall survival projected to 5 years is 47%. Toxicity was generally mild and well tolerated. Although this alternating regimen had substantial activity as front-line chemotherapy for advanced DLCL, we conclude that the observed response rate and survival do not essentially differ from those achieved with conventional regimens and further clinical trials are thus not warranted.