Fludarabine, mitoxantrone, dexamethasone (FND) compared with an alternating triple therapy (ATT) regimen in patients with stage IV indolent lymphoma

Blood. 2002 Dec 15;100(13):4351-7. doi: 10.1182/blood-2001-12-0269. Epub 2002 Aug 8.

Abstract

Treatment for patients with stage IV indolent lymphoma ranges from watchful waiting to intensive chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation. In this trial we compared 2 induction regimens followed by 1 year of interferon maintenance therapy. Fludarabine, mitoxantrone (Novantrone), and dexamethasone (FND) were compared with an alternating triple therapy (ATT) regimen (CHOD-Bleo, ESHAP, and NOPP). Maintenance interferon/dexamethasone was given for 1 year in both treatment arms. Endpoints were comparisons of remission rates, survival, failure-free survival (FFS), molecular response rates, and toxicities. One hundred forty-two patients with previously untreated stage IV indolent lymphoma were evaluable (73 on FND; 69 on ATT). The overall response rates were 97% for FND and 97% for ATT (P =.9). The median follow-up is 5.9 years. The 5-year survival rates were 84% with FND and 82% with ATT (P =.9); the 5-year FFS rates were 41% with FND and 50% with ATT (P =.02). In a multivariate analysis, factors predicting for longer FFS were beta(2)-microglobulin less than 3 mg/L (P =.01) and ATT treatment (P =.03). ATT was associated with a substantially higher rate of grade 3-4 toxicities than FND. In conclusion, both regimens were associated with high rates of response and survival. ATT was associated with substantially longer FFS, but it was more toxic than FND.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Bleomycin / administration & dosage
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Cytarabine / administration & dosage
  • Dexamethasone / administration & dosage
  • Dexamethasone / adverse effects
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Etoposide / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hematologic Diseases / chemically induced
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitoxantrone / administration & dosage
  • Mitoxantrone / adverse effects
  • Prednisone / administration & dosage
  • Procarbazine / administration & dosage
  • Prognosis
  • Remission Induction
  • Survival Rate
  • Vidarabine / administration & dosage
  • Vidarabine / adverse effects
  • Vidarabine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Vincristine / administration & dosage
  • beta 2-Microglobulin / analysis

Substances

  • beta 2-Microglobulin
  • Cytarabine
  • Bleomycin
  • Procarbazine
  • Vincristine
  • Etoposide
  • Dexamethasone
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Mitoxantrone
  • Vidarabine
  • fludarabine
  • Cisplatin
  • Prednisone
  • Methylprednisolone

Supplementary concepts

  • BACOD protocol
  • ESAP protocol
  • NOPP protocol