810 Dexamethasone, etoposide, ifosfamide and cisplatin as second-line chemotherapy in intermediate or high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

The combination of dexamethasone, etoposide (VP-16), ifosfamide and cisplatin (DVIP) was evaluated as a second line after adriamycin containing combinations in intermediate or high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). 39 patients (pts) (median age 68 years) entered the study. Objective responses were seen in 29 pts (74%) and included complete response (CR) in 14 (36%). Median duration of CR was 12 months (mos) and that of partial response was 3.5 mos. 13/25 (52%) pts who responded with CR to adriamycin-based combinations responded with CR to DVIP (vs 1/14 who failed to respond with CR). Durable remissions (24 ± 57+ mos) continue in 4 pts who responded with CR to frontline therapy. Main toxicity was myelosuppression. Median WBC nadir was 1100/mm 3 and median platelets nadir was 66,000/mm 3 . There was no treatment-related mortality. We conclude that DVIP is an effective second line in histologically aggressive NHL, associated with acceptable toxicity, and has a curative potential in pts with relapsing disease.