[A combination chemotherapy of mitoxantrone, etoposide, carboplatin, and prednisolone (MECP) in recurrent or refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphomas].

Twenty-two patients with recurrent or refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were treated with a combination chemotherapy of mitoxantrone, etoposide, carboplatin, and prednisolone (MECP). Of 22 evaluable patients, 11 (50%) responded to MECP and 7 (32%) achieved complete remission. Particularly in relapsed cases, 9 (75%) responded and 6 (50%) achieved complete remission. Myelosuppression was the major toxicity. Thirteen patients (59%) experienced WBC counts under 1,000/microliters, and thrombocytopenia under 50,000/microliters was seen in 12 patients (55%). During myelosuppression, 2 patients developed sepsis and 1 showed intestinal bleeding. Other gastrointestinal toxicities were well tolerated. There was no death due to chemotherapy. These results show that MECP is a well-tolerated treatment regimen, and effective for recurrent or refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.