Efficacy of lomustine, teniposide, doxorubicin, bleomycin and prednisone (LTABP) or adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine (ABVD) in the treatment of malignant lymphogranulomatosis resistant to MOPP]

LTABP regimen was applied to 18 patients in IIB and IV stage of malignant lymphogranulomatosis resistant to MOPP. The obtained results were compared with historical control group of 18 patients with similar stage of the disease treated according to ABVD regimen. In both regimens courses were repeated every 28 days or more rarely, when leucopenia and thrombocytopenia prolonged. Only patients who had received at least 3 courses were analysed. In the LTABP group the complete remission was obtained in 10 cases (55%) while partial remission in 6 (33%). In the group treated with ABVD complete remission was obtained in 4 cases (22%) and partial in 9 cases (50%). In the LTABP group 11 patients are still alive and remain in complete remission, while in ABVD group--4 patients. The most frequent side effects in both groups included leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and symptoms of gastrointestinal intolerance. The LTABP regiment allows to obtain higher percentage of the complete remission than ABVD.