TOTAL-BODY IRRADIATION AND CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE, VINCRISTINE, PREDNISONE IN THE TREATMENT OF FAVORABLE PROGNOSIS NON-HODGKINS LYMPHOMAS

A pilot study was undertaken to test the feasibility of administering total body irradiation (TBI) followed by chemotherapy with cyclophospbamide, vincristine and prednisone (CVP). Twelve patients with previously untreated Stages III-IV non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were studied. Nine patients had nodular poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma and 3 had nodular lymphoma. TBI was given to a total dose of 150 rad in biweekly 15 rad fractions. Reversible thrombocytopenia and neutropenia were observed and resulted in 3 attenuated courses (105 rad, 120 rad, 135 rad). No bleeding, infection or other important toxicity occurred from TBI. After a median of 45 days following TBI, all patients began CVP. Eleven patients completed 6 cycles; 1 patient refused further chemotherapy after the first cycle. Dosage adjustments made for neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were such that 83% of the planned cyclophosphamide dose was given. No bleeding, serios infections or fatalities were seen. Toxicities included parathesias, nausea and abdominal pain. At the end of chemotherapy, 6 of 11 patients who completed 6 cycles of CVP were disease free with remissions of 3+, 4+, 7+, 11+, 14 and 20+ months. TRI+CVP delivered In the manner described is associated with acceptable toxicity. © 1979.