ChlVPP/PABlOE and radiotherapy in advanced Hodgkin's disease. The Central Lymphoma Group.

PURPOSEThe United Kingdom Central Lymphoma Group (CLG) has modified mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone/doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (MOPP/ABVD) by substituting mechlorethamine with chlorambucil and dacarbazine with etoposide in the treatment of patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease (HD). Prednisolone is included in the bleomycin-containing combination, and the vinca alkaloids have been switched to balance the myelotoxicity of the two component regimens.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe resulting ChlVPP/PABlOE regimen is as follows: on days 1 to 14, chlorambucil 6 mg/m2 orally, procarbazine 100 mg/m2 orally, and prednisolone 30 mg/m2 orally; on days 1 and 8, vinblastine 6 mg/m2 intravenously (i.v.); on day 29, doxorubicin 40 mg/m2 i.v.; on days 29 and 36, vincristine 1.4 mg/m2 (maximum, 2 mg) i.v., and bleomycin 10 mg/m2 i.v.; on days 30, 31, and 32, etoposide 200 mg/m2/d orally; on days 29 to 43, inclusive, prednisolone, 30 mg/m2 orally. The second full cycle resta...