Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 12, 1366-1374, Copyright © 1994 by American Society of Clinical Oncology
MACOP-B versus ProMACE-MOPP in the treatment of advanced diffuse non- Hodgkin's lymphoma: results of a prospective randomized trial by the non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cooperative Study Group
MR Sertoli, G Santini, T Chisesi, AM Congiu, A Rubagotti, A Contu, L Salvagno, P Coser, A Porcellini and M Vespignani
Institute of Oncology, Genova University, Italy.
PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to compare in a multicentric randomized
trial two regimens widely used in the treatment of advanced- stage
intermediate- to high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and to assess whether a
third-generation regimen (methotrexate with leucovorin, doxorubicin,
cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, and bleomycin [MACOP-B]) was
superior to a second-generation regimen (procarbazine, methotrexate with
leucovorin, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide [ProMACE-MOPP]).
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1987 and August 1991, 221 patients
with diffuse intermediate- to high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (Working
Formulation groups F, G, H, and K), stage II bulky (> 10 cm), III, or
IV, were randomized by the Non- Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cooperative Study Group
(NHLCSG) to receive ProMACE- MOPP for six cycles or MACOP-B for 12 weeks.
Survival, progression-free survival, and disease-free survival were
determined, and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors was performed.
RESULTS: In the two groups of patients, there was no significant difference
in terms of complete remission (CR) rate (49.1% with ProMACE-MOPP and 52.3%
with MACOP-B), 3-year overall survival rate (45.2% with PROMACE-MOPP and
52.3% with MACOP-B), and 3-year progression-free survival rate (36.4% with
ProMACE-MOPP and 36.1% with MACOP-B). In terms of toxicity, no
significantly greater toxicity occurred in either arm. Overall toxicity was
acceptable. The most frequent side effects were grade II through IV
leukopenia, infection, mucositis, and anemia. Treatment-related deaths were
equally distributed. CONCLUSION: No significant differences in terms of
efficacy and/or toxicity between ProMACE-MOPP and MACOP-B are evident.
These results are consistent with recent randomized trials showing that the
new-generation aggressive regimens are no better than previous ones.