Effect of COMxEP regimens in treating non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effect and toxicity of COMxEP regimens in treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL).Methods: Thirty-seven patients with intermediate-high grade NHL were treated with a combination chemotherapy of COMxEP.COMxEP regimen consisted of VP₁₆,60-70 mg/m²(iv gtt,Day1-5);MxT,6-8 mg/m²(iv gtt,Day1);VCR,1.4 mg/m²(iv,Day1,8);CTX,600-800 mg(iv,Day1,8);Pred,40-60 mg/day(po,Day1-5).One course lasted for 4 weeks and each patient received(4.8) courses on the average.Results: In the thirty seven patients receiving COMxEP regimen,complete remission(CR) rate was(67.6%),partial remission(PR) rate 21.6%,SD rate 14.3% and PD was no,and the overall response rate was 89.2%(33/37),with a median duration of 26 months.In the patients with refractory disease,CR rate was 53.8%,PR rate 30.8%,SD rate 15.4% and PD was no,and the overall response rate was 84.6%.The main side effects were bone marrow depression,enteron reaction and alopecie.Conclusions: COMxEP regimen is effective for patients with newly diagnosed or refractory disease,and the toxicity is tolerable.This regimen can be considered as a routine or salvage therapy for intermediate-high grade NHL.