BEACOPP, a new dose-escalated and accelerated regimen, is at least as effective as COPP/ABVD in patients with advanced-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma: interim report from a trial of the German Hodgkin's Lymphoma Study Group

Front-line high-dose therapy with autologous stem cell transplantation for high risk Hodgkin's disease: comparison with combined-modality therapy

This retrospective study compares high-dose therapy (HDT) with autologous stem cell transplantation and combined-modality treatment (CT) as a first-line therapy for Hodgkin's disease (HD) for patients with both a clinical stage (CS) IV and/or a mediastinal mass > or =0.45 of the thoracic diameter (MM > or =0.45) at diagnosis, and an incomplete response after the first-line chemotherapy. Data on 42 grafted patients (GP) in Nantes Hospital, France and on 108 combined-modality treated patients (CTP) from two protocols of the GOELAMS group, France (POF 81 and H90) was analyzed. Both groups were comparable except for pulmonary disease in excess in the grafted group (P = 0.01). Among GP, 95% were in complete response at the end of first-line treatment and 77% among CTP. Median follow-up was 53 months (range, 7 to 128 months) for GP and 88 months (range, 25 to 181 months) for CTP. The 5-year freedom from progression (FFP) and event-free survival (EFS) rates were better for GP (87% vs 55% for FFP: P = 0.0004 and 81% vs 51% for EFS: P = 0.0004) whereas the overall survival (OS) rates did not differ significantly (85% for GP vs 71% for CTP: P = 0.06). Similar results were obtained for the groups with a response > or =50% after initial chemotherapy: 91% vs 65% for FFP, P = 0.01; 87% vs 61% for EFS, P = 0.02; and 92% vs 77% for OS, P = 0.2; and for the groups with a response <50%: 80% vs 22% for FFP, P = 0.0003; 72% vs 13% for EFS, P = 0.0001; and 76% vs 46% for OS, P = 0.04. This study shows a better control of the disease with HDT.

A population-based study of intensive multi-agent chemotherapy with or without autotransplant for the highest risk Hodgkin's disease patients identified by the Scotland and Newcastle Lymphoma Group (SNLG) prognostic index. A Scotland and Newcastle Lymphoma Group study (SNLG HD III)

The aim of the study was to identify all patients with poor risk Hodgkin's disease (HD) using a numerical prognostic index in a defined population and to recruit them into a trial of intensive chemotherapy prednisolone, vinblastine, doxorubicin, chlorambucil, etoposide, bleomycin, vincristine, procarbazine (PVACE-BOP)x3+autotransplant (Arm A) versus PVACE-BOPx5 (Arm B) in first remission. In 10 years, the Scotland and Newcastle Lymphoma Group (SNLG) registered 930 patients with HD of whom 178 (19%) were identified as 'poor risk' by the SNLG index and were aged 16-59 years. 126/178 (71%) entered the study. Of the 120 confirmed poor risk HD cases, all completed PVACE-BOPx3 with a 93% Complete Response/unconfirmed Complete Response (CR/CRu) rate. Only 65/107 in CR accepted the randomisation. With a median follow-up of 6 years, both arms of the trial have a similar time to treatment failure (TTF) (Arm A 79%+/-11 versus 85%+/-7 Arm B, P=0.35). Advanced stage 'good risk' patients not included in the trial receiving standard therapy with CLVPP or ABVD had a 75% 5-year survival. The study demonstrates that PVACE-BOP therapy in the poorest risk group (58% had an IPI>/=3) produces excellent CR rates (93%) and overall survival with minimal toxicity, and that the substitution of autotransplant in first CR does not improve outcome. The use of the objective SNLG index accurately helped in the selection of the poorest risk group in this population study. The placing of a randomised control trial within the context of a population-based study of HD enhances the validity of the outcome.

Stanford V and radiotherapy for locally extensive and advanced Hodgkin's disease: mature results of a prospective clinical trial

PURPOSE

To provide more mature data on the efficacy and complications of a brief, dose-intense chemotherapy regimen plus radiation therapy (RT) to bulky disease sites for locally extensive and advanced-stage Hodgkin's disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred forty-two patients with stage III or IV or locally extensive mediastinal stage I or II Hodgkin's disease received Stanford V chemotherapy for 12 weeks followed by 36-Gy RT to initial sites of bulky (> or =5 cm) or macroscopic splenic disease. Freedom from progression (FFP), overall survival (OS), and freedom from second relapse (FF2R) were determined using life-table estimates. Outcomes were analyzed according to the international prognostic score. Late effects of treatment were recorded in follow-up.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 5.4 years, the 5-year FFP was 89% and the OS was 96%. No patient progressed during treatment, and there were no treatment-related deaths. FFP was significantly superior among patients with a prognostic score of 0 to 2 compared with those with a score of 3 and higher (94% v 75%, P <.0001). No secondary leukemia was observed. To date, there have been 42 pregnancies after treatment. Among 16 patients who relapsed, the FF2R was 69% at 5 years.

CONCLUSION

These data confirm our preliminary report that Stanford V chemotherapy with RT to bulky disease sites is highly effective in locally extensive and advanced Hodgkin's disease. It is most important to compare this approach with standard doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine chemotherapy in the ongoing intergroup trial (E2496) to determine whether Stanford V with or without RT represents a therapeutic advance.

Rapidly alternating COPP/ABV/IMEP is not superior to conventional alternating COPP/ABVD in combination with extended-field radiotherapy in intermediate-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma: final results of the German Hodgkin's Lymphoma Study Group Trial HD5

PURPOSE

To investigate whether treatment results in intermediate-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma can be improved by rapid application of non-cross-resistant drugs, the 10-drug regimen cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (COPP), doxorubicin, bleomycin, and vinblastine (ABV), and ifosfamide, methotrexate, etoposide, and prednisone (IMEP), repeated every 6 weeks, was compared with conventional alternating COPP/doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) administered every 8 weeks.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 1988 to January 1993, 996 patients in stage I or II Hodgkin's lymphoma with at least one risk factor (massive mediastinal tumor, massive spleen involvement, extranodal disease, elevated ESR, or more than two lymph node areas involved) and all patients in stage IIIA Hodgkin's lymphoma were randomized to receive two cycles of COPP/ABVD or COPP/ABV/IMEP followed by extended-field radiotherapy.

RESULTS

Both regimens produced similar rates for treatment responses (complete remission, 93% v 94%), freedom from treatment failure (80% v 79%), and overall survival (88% for both regimens) at a median follow-up time of 7 years. Most serious toxicities during chemotherapy were similar in both regimens. However, World Health Organization grade 3 and 4 leukocytopenia occurred significantly more frequently in the COPP/ABV/IMEP arm (53% v 44% of patients; P =.010). There were no differences in the number of serious infections and toxic deaths during therapy. The number of second malignancies was also the same in both arms (22 each).

CONCLUSION

Alternating COPP/ABVD and rapid alternating COPP/ABV/IMEP in combination with extended-field radiotherapy are equally effective in intermediate-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma and produce excellent long-term treatment results.

New prognostic score based on treatment outcome of patients with relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma registered in the database of the German Hodgkin's lymphoma study group

PURPOSE

To evaluate salvage treatment outcome of patients with relapsed Hodgkin's disease (HD) and to distinguish different risk groups using identified prognostic factors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 4,754 patients registered in the German Hodgkin's Lymphoma Study Group (GHSG) database between 1988 and 1999, 422 patients with early (n = 170) or late (n = 252) relapsed HD were identified. One hundred seven patients (25%) relapsed after radiotherapy (RT) for early stages, 133 patients (32%) after combined-modality therapy for intermediate stages, and 182 patients (43%) after chemotherapy (CT) and RT to initial bulky disease or residual lymphoma for advanced stages. At relapse, characteristics of these 422 patients (median age, 38 years; range, 17 to 77) were stage III/IV, 45%; B symptoms, 24%; elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, 29%; anemia, 13%; and Karnofsky performance score, less than 90 in 13%. At first relapse, salvage treatment was RT in 13%, CT in 54%, and high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) in 33%.

RESULTS

Median follow-up time after relapse was 45 months. Freedom from second failure (FF2F) and overall survival (OS) were 81% and 89% for relapse after RT, 33% and 46% for early relapse after CT, and 43% and 71% for late relapse after CT, respectively. In multivariate analysis, independent risk factors were time to relapse, clinical stage at relapse, and anemia at relapse. Four subgroups with significantly different FF2F and OS were identified. The prognostic score was predictive for patients who relapsed after RT, CT with conventional CT salvage, and CT with HDCT/ASCT.

CONCLUSION

In the GHSG database, time to relapse and clinical stage and anemia at relapse are relevant factors and can be used to form a prognostic score for HD patients at relapse.

Prognostic factors in advanced stage Hodgkin's lymphoma: the significance of the number of involved anatomic sites

BACKGROUND

Advanced Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is curable by conventional chemotherapy in 60--70% of patients. The pretreatment identification of a sizeable subgroup of patients with sufficiently low failure-free survival (FFS) to be eligible for investigational treatment is necessary.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prognostic significance of the number of involved sites (NIS) in patients with advanced HL and its relationship to the International Prognostic Score (IPS).

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients with advanced HL, defined as Ann Arbor stage (AAS) IB, IIB, III or IV, treated with anthracycline-based regimens. The end-point was FFS.

RESULTS

We identified 277 patients with a median age of 32 yr (14--78), 57% of whom were males. AAS was I in 4% of patients, II in 29%, III in 38% and IV in 29%. B-symptoms were recorded in 81%. Most patients had nodular sclerosis (64%) and mixed cellularity (26%) histology. IPS was greater-than-or-equals 3 in 44% of 242 evaluable patients. The NIS was greater-than-or-equals 5 in 32% of the patients and 20% of all patients had both greater-than-or-equals 5 involved sites and IPS greater-than-or-equals 3. The 10-yr FFS was 67%, being 76% vs. 50% for patients with less-than-or-equals 4 vs. greater-than-or-equals 5 involved sites (P < 0.0001). The NIS (greater-than-or-equal 5), AAS IV and anemia were independent predictors of FFS in multivariate analysis. The NIS remained significant along with IPS, when the latter was included in the analysis. Patients with greater-than-or-equals 5 involved sites and IPS greater-than-or-equals 3 had 10-yr FFS overall, and relapse-free survival of 41%, 45% and 49%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The NIS was associated with FFS in advanced HL, was independent of IPS, and led to the identification of a sizeable subgroup of patients with 10-yr FFS of approximately 40%. This factor should be evaluated during the development of prognostic systems.

Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone, and etoposide (CHOPE) for advanced-stage Hodgkin's disease: CALGB 8856

Successful treatment of advanced-stage Hodgkin's disease (HD) may critically depend on dose intensity. Because mechlorethamine, Oncovin, procarbazine, and prednisone (MOPP), and Adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) are not suitable for major dose escalation, we evaluated the activity and toxicity of combined cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone, and etoposide (CHOPE) in advanced HD, here used at conventional dose intensity, as a preparatory study prior to using this regimen at higher dose intensity. Ninety-two patients were treated with CHOPE (cyclophosphamide, 750 mg/m2, day 1; doxorubicin, 50 mg/m2, day 1; vincristine, 1.4 mg/m2, days 1 and 8; prednisone, 100 mg/day, days 1-5; and etoposide, 80 mg/m2, days 1, 2, and 3) every 21 days. All had advanced HD with no prior chemotherapy with 46% stage IV, 63% with B symptoms, and 57% with bulky disease (> 5 cm). Radiation and growth factor support were not permitted. Full-dose vincristine (not capped at maximum 2 mg/dose) was used in the first 33 patients. An initial cohort of 41 patients was treated with four cycles of CHOPE to evaluate safety and efficacy followed by four cycles of ABVD. A second cohort of 51 patients was treated with 6-8 cycles of CHOPE alone. Toxicity was generally acceptable and primarily hematologic, with neutrophils < 500 in 63% of cohort I and 90% of cohort II, and platelets < 25,000 in 7% of cohort I and 8% of cohort II. The long-term neurotoxicity of full-dose, high-intensity vincristine was acceptable and largely reversible. In cohort I, 92% of patients achieved a complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) with four cycles of CHOPE and 85% were in CR after four additional cycles of ABVD. In cohort II, 77% achieved a CR with 6-8 cycles of CHOPE alone. FFS was 76% in cohort I and 59% in cohort II, with a median follow-up of 8.2 and 5.7 years, respectively. CHOPE, at conventional dose intensity as used here, is an effective first-line regimen for the treatment of advanced-stage HD and may warrant evaluation using higher doses of cyclophosphamide and etoposide with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) support.

Current therapy and future prospects in lymphoma

Today, lymphoma represents one of the most complex and diverse malignancies in routine clinical practice and huge advances have been made in the pathological classification and treatment of this family of diseases. Progress in treatment means that long-term survival is now an achievable goal for many, although a proportion of patients remain incurable. Developments in both conventional chemotherapy as well as biotechnological advances have opened new therapeutic approaches, many of which have already reached the clinic.

Early-stage Hodgkin's disease

Treatment of Hodgkin's disease (HD) is strictly dependent on stage. Historically, early-stage HD included the limited stages I, II, and IIIA (according to the Cotswolds modification of the Ann Arbor classsification), whereas advanced HD included stage III with B symptoms and stage IV. It was then observed that early-stage HD with certain clinical risk factors had a significantly worse outcome. As a consequence, several studies defined these patients as suffering from early-stage unfavorable (or intermediate-stage) HD, demanding a more aggressive treatment. The treatment of early-stage HD is changing strikingly. Until recently, extended-field (EF) irradiation has been considered the standard treatment. However, because of the recognition of its high relapse rate and fatal long-term effects, EF radiotherapy is now being abandoned by most study groups. Instead, for favorable early-stage HD, mild chemotherapy for control of occult disease is combined with involved-field (IF) irradiation. In early-stage unfavorable (intermediate) HD, four cycles of chemotherapy plus IF irradiation is accepted as standard treatment.

Secondary prophylactic G-CSF (filgrastim) administration in chemotherapy of stage I and II Hodgkin's lymphoma with ABVD

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (filgrastim, G-CSF) for maintenance of chemotherapy dose-intensity in patients with stage I or II Hodgkin's lymphoma treated with six cycles of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD). Fifty-six patients with stage I or II Hodgkin's lymphoma treated with ABVD were eligible for secondary prophylactic G-CSF administration because of neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count < 1 x 10(9) /L) causing treatment delay or febrile neutropenia. Patients received 300 microg (total dose) of G-CSF (filgrastim) subcutaneously on days 3 to 7 and 17 to 21 of each cycle in order to prevent dose reduction or delay in subsequent cycles of treatment continuing the G-CSF until completion of chemotherapy. Results showed that 30 (54%) of the patients required the use of G-CSF, 26 (47%) during the first or second cycle. After G-CSF administration delay in chemotherapy did not occur in 25 patients, whereas delays in the fifth or sixth cycle occurred in four patients. Despite treatment with G-CSF, one patient had febrile neutropenia. Dose intensity greater than 90% of that planned was delivered to more the 85% of patients.

IN CONCLUSION

Secondary prophylactic G-CSF administration was necessary in more than half of patients with stage I or II Hodgkin's lymphoma during chemotherapy with ABVD. The use of G-CSF allowed maintenance of chemotherapy schedule and dose intensity in the majority of patients.

Autotransplants for Hodgkin's disease in first relapse or second remission: a report from the autologous blood and marrow transplant registry (ABMTR)

Although patients with relapsed Hodgkin's disease have a poor prognosis with conventional therapies, high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (autotransplantation) may provide long-term progression-free survival. We reviewed data from the Autologous Blood and Marrow Transplant Registry (ABMTR) to determine relapse, disease-free survival, overall survival, and prognostic factors in this group of patients. Detailed records from the ABMTR on 414 patients with Hodgkin's disease in first relapse (n = 295) or second complete remission (CR) (n = 119) receiving an autotransplant from 1989 to 1995 were reviewed. Median age was 29 (range, 7-64) years. Median time from diagnosis to relapse was 18 (range, 6-219) months; median time from relapse to transplant was 5 (range, <1-215) months. Most patients received high-dose chemotherapy without total body irradiation for conditioning (n = 370). The most frequently used high-dose regimen was cyclophosphamide, BCNU, VP-16 (CBV) (n = 240). The graft consisted of bone marrow (n = 246), blood stem cells (n = 112), or both (n = 56). Median follow-up was 46 (range, 5-96) months. One hundred-day mortality (95% confidence interval) was 7 (5-9)%. One hundred and sixty-five of 295 patients (56%) transplanted in relapse achieved CR after autotransplantation. Of these, 61 (37%) recurred. Twenty-four of 119 patients (20%) transplanted in CR recurred. The probability of disease-free survival at 3 years was 46 (40-52)% for transplants in first relapse and 64 (53-72)% for those in second remission (P < 0.001). Overall survival at 3 years was 58 (52-64)% after transplantation in first relapse and 75 (66-83)% after transplantation in second CR (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, Karnofsky performance score <90% at transplant, abnormal serum LDH at transplant, and chemotherapy resistance were adverse prognostic factors for outcome. Progression of Hodgkin's disease accounted for 69% of all deaths. Autotransplantation should be considered for patients with Hodgkin's disease in first relapse or second remission. Future investigations should focus on strategies designed to decrease relapse after autotransplantation, particularly in patients at high risk for relapse.

Acute hematologic toxicity and practicability of dose-intensified BEACOPP chemotherapy for advanced stage Hodgkin's disease. German Hodgkin's Lymphoma Study Group (GHSG)

BACKGROUND

Evidence is recently accumulating that the novel BEACOPP (bleomycin (B), etoposide (E), adriamycin (A), cyclophosphamide (C), vincristine (O), procarbazine (P), prednisone (P)) chemotherapy is a highly effective treatment for advanced stage Hodgkin's disease. Two dose variants of BEACOPP are currently tested in a phase III randomized multicenter trial of the GHSG. To enable more extensive testing of BEACOPP we characterized its practicability regarding schedule adherence, acute hematotoxicity and need for supportive treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data of 858 patients (6592 therapy cycles) from 184 participating institutions were evaluated. Planned total drug doses of the baseline variant (arm 1) were 80, 2400, 200, 5200, 11.2, 5600 and 4480 mg/m2 for B, E, A, C, O, P and P, respectively. Compared to arm 1, the doses of E, A and C in the dose-intensified variant (arm 2) were escalated by factor 2.0, 1.4, 1.92, respectively, using G-CSF assistance. Stepwise dose reductions were specified in case of dose-limiting toxicities. Both variants are given in eight three-weekly courses.

RESULTS

Median dose adherence (dose actually given relative to planned arm 1 dose) in arm 1 was 1.0 for all drugs. Relative dose escalation of E, A, and C actually maintained in arm 2 was 1.83, 1.37 and 1.77 (medians), respectively, and 70% of patients maintained elevated dose levels throughout the entire treatment. Dose-limiting toxicities occurred in 25% of cycles in arm 2, most frequently due to leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia. Time courses of leukocytes in arm 2 showed more severe but not more prolonged leukocytopenia compared with arm 1. WHO grades 3-4 infections were documented in 2.1% (arm 1) and 3.1% (arm 2) of all cycles. Erythrocytes were transfused in 61% (arm 1) and 28% (arm 2), platelets in < 1% (arm 1) and 6% (arm 2) of all cycles.

CONCLUSIONS

Both BEACOPP schemes are practicable in a large multicenter setting. Despite increased hematotoxicity, moderate dose escalation is safe for the majority of the patients with G-CSF assistance and standard supportive treatment.

Hodgkin disease: prognostic factors and treatment strategies

Depending on stage and risk factor profile, more than 80% of patients with Hodgkin disease (HD) will be cured with modern treatment strategies. In early-stage, favorable HD, extended field irradiation has been the standard treatment resulting in cure rates of greater than 90%. However, due to the recognition of fatal long-term effects, especially the high rates of second solid tumors, extended field irradiation therapy is now being abandoned by most study groups. Instead, mild chemotherapy for control of occult disease is combined with involved field irradiation. In early-stage, unfavorable (intermediate) HD, for which combined modality treatment is already the treatment of choice, extended field irradiation is replaced by involved field irradiation for the same reasons. A different situation is found in advanced HD. In this case, standard therapy consists of eight cycles of polychemotherapy. Until recently, modifications of the standard chemotherapy regimens had not changed the poor outcome of advanced-stage patients. The development of a new dose-intensified regimen (BEACOPP) now for the first time has significantly improved the prognosis of these patients. Patients who relapse following radiation therapy alone for early stage HD have satisfactory results with combination chemotherapy and are not considered candidates for high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation. For patients with relapsed HD after combination chemotherapy, the current data support the use of high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation.

Prognostic factors and treatment outcome in primary progressive Hodgkin lymphoma: a report from the German Hodgkin Lymphoma Study Group

To determine prognostic factors and treatment outcome, patients with primary progressive Hodgkin lymphoma (HD) registered in the database of the German Hodgkin Lymphoma Study Group (GHSG) were analyzed retrospectively. Detailed records from randomized prospective multicenter trials performed between 1988 and 1998 of 3807 patients recruited in these trials were reviewed. The median age of the 206 patients available was 34 years (range, 16-71). Fifty-seven patients (28%) in intermediate stage and 149 patients (72%) in advanced stage developed progressive disease (PD). One hundred and fifty-three patients (74%) were treated with salvage chemotherapy, 47 patients (23%) with salvage radiotherapy, and 6 patients (3%) did not receive any therapy due to rapid PD. Seventy patients (34%) were treated with high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous stem cell transplantation. The 5-year freedom from second failure (FF2F) and overall survival (OS) for all patients were 17% and 26%, respectively. The 5-year FF2F and OS for patients treated with HDCT were 31% and 43%, respectively. In multivariate analysis low Karnofsky performance score at the time of progression (P < .0001), age above 50 years (P = .019), and failure to attain a temporary remission on first-line treatment (P = .0003) were significant adverse prognostic factors for OS. Patients with none of these risk factors had a 5-year OS of 55% compared with 0% for patients with all 3 of these unfavorable prognostic factors. Although HDCT is a reasonable option for selected patients with primary progressive HD, the majority did not receive HDCT. Interestingly, salvage radiotherapy gave promising results in patients with localized PD.

Prognostic factors and treatment outcome in primary progressive Hodgkin lymphoma: a report from the German Hodgkin Lymphoma Study Group

To determine prognostic factors and treatment outcome, patients with primary progressive Hodgkin lymphoma (HD) registered in the database of the German Hodgkin Lymphoma Study Group (GHSG) were analyzed retrospectively. Detailed records from randomized prospective multicenter trials performed between 1988 and 1998 of 3807 patients recruited in these trials were reviewed. The median age of the 206 patients available was 34 years (range, 16-71). Fifty-seven patients (28%) in intermediate stage and 149 patients (72%) in advanced stage developed progressive disease (PD). One hundred and fifty-three patients (74%) were treated with salvage chemotherapy, 47 patients (23%) with salvage radiotherapy, and 6 patients (3%) did not receive any therapy due to rapid PD. Seventy patients (34%) were treated with high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous stem cell transplantation. The 5-year freedom from second failure (FF2F) and overall survival (OS) for all patients were 17% and 26%, respectively. The 5-year FF2F and OS for patients treated with HDCT were 31% and 43%, respectively. In multivariate analysis low Karnofsky performance score at the time of progression (P &lt; .0001), age above 50 years (P = .019), and failure to attain a temporary remission on first-line treatment (P = .0003) were significant adverse prognostic factors for OS. Patients with none of these risk factors had a 5-year OS of 55% compared with 0% for patients with all 3 of these unfavorable prognostic factors. Although HDCT is a reasonable option for selected patients with primary progressive HD, the majority did not receive HDCT. Interestingly, salvage radiotherapy gave promising results in patients with localized PD.

Advances in the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma

Given the successful treatment for most patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma, efforts have been directed primarily toward improving outcomes for the minority of patients with poor prognosis or relapsed disease or reducing the late effects of therapy for long-term survivors. Recently, a simple and clinically useful prognostic scoring system was developed for patients with advanced disease. This system allows better risk assessment for individual patients and more uniformity among patients participating in clinical trials. In addition, trials using newer chemotherapeutic regimens such as Stanford V or BEACOPP (bleomycin, etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone) are maturing with promising results. Other studies are helping to define the role of high-dose therapy for patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma, although biologic treatments such as cellular or antibody-based therapies are still in early phases of development. Lastly, positron emission tomographic scanning is emerging as a useful tool in staging and following Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Gemcitabine in the treatment of refractory Hodgkin's disease: results of a multicenter phase II study

PURPOSE

To explore the use of gemcitabine for the treatment of patients with relapsing or refractory Hodgkin's disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eligible patients had measurable disease and more than one previous chemotherapy regimen. Patients previously treated with high-dose chemotherapy with autologous bone marrow or peripheral stem-cell support were not included. Gemcitabine, 1,250 mg/m(2), was administered as a 30-minute intravenous infusion on days 1, 8, and 15 of each 28-day cycle of therapy. The dosing schedule remained fixed, and any dose of gemcitabine that could not be given on time was omitted. Patients who had not experienced any hematologic or nonhematologic toxicity after one complete cycle of therapy were permitted to have subsequent doses increased by 20%: that is, from 1, 250 mg/m(2) to 1,500 mg/m(2).

RESULTS

Of the 23 enrolled patients, 22 were assessable for response; all 23 patients were included in the efficacy analysis. Disease status for two patients (9%) reached a state of complete remission, and seven patients (30%) achieved a partial response, for an overall response rate of 39% (95% confidence interval, 19.7% to 61.5%). The likelihood of achieving a response was not influenced by a patients' main pretreatment characteristics or by their response to their last prior chemotherapy. The median duration of response was 6.7 months (range, 2 to 33+ months), and the median overall survival time was 10.7 months (range, 4 to 34.7+ months). In general, toxicities were mild; no treatment-related deaths occurred, and only one life-threatening adverse event was reported for this study.

CONCLUSION

Gemcitabine was shown to be active in heavily pretreated patients with Hodgkin's disease, producing a response rate of 39%. Additionally, drug-related toxicities were mild, which thus suggests the possible inclusion of gemcitabine in an earlier phase of treatment.

Assessment of the stanford V regimen and consolidative radiotherapy for bulky and advanced Hodgkin's disease: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group pilot study E1492

PURPOSE

This study was performed, in a multi-institutional setting, to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of the Stanford V chemotherapy regimen plus radiotherapy to bulky Hodgkin's disease sites.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A two-stage design was implemented in a phase II study involving 47 patients with bulky mediastinal stage I/II or stage III/IV Hodgkin's disease. Twelve weeks of the Stanford V chemotherapy regimen were given with consolidative radiotherapy (36 Gy) to lymph nodes >/= 5 cm and/or macroscopic splenic disease. Treatment was administered in one of five institutions participating in the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 4.8 years, 45 patients are alive and 40 have been continuously disease-free. The estimated freedom from progression was 87% at 2 years and 85% at 5 years. Overall survival was 96% at 2 and 5 years. There was one death from Hodgkin's disease and one death from an M5 acute leukemia. Six of seven relapsed patients received high-dose therapy and autologous stem-cell transplantation. The freedom from second progression for the seven relapsed patients was estimated at 98% at 3 years.

CONCLUSION

Stanford V chemotherapy and consolidative radiotherapy to bulky disease is effective in bulky and advanced Hodgkin's disease in a multi-institutional setting. On this basis, an Intergroup study comparing doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine with the Stanford V regimen has been initiated.

Endogenous thrombopoietin serum levels during multicycle chemotherapy

Little is known about the behaviour of endogenous thrombopoietin (TPO) serum levels during rapid sequences of dose-intensified chemotherapy. To characterize the relationship between TPO levels and platelet counts in this setting we serially measured both parameters over the entire treatment period of patients receiving multicycle polychemotherapy. We found TPO and platelet responses to be generally antagonistic through all cycles. However, a cross-correlation analysis indicated that TPO responses preceded platelet responses by approximately one day in all patients. The cumulative severity of thrombocytopenia observed over successive cycles was accompanied by an increasing TPO response which tended to grow overproportionally in relation to the degree of peripheral thrombocytopenia. These findings are consistent with a model suggesting that both platelet and megakaryocyte mass contribute to a receptor-dependent consumption process regulating the endogenous TPO level. In order to develop optimal schedules for exogenous TPO administration it might be important to consider endogenous TPO response characteristics.