[A study of toxicities and complications observed in alternating non-cross-resistant chemotherapy (CAMBO-VIP) for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma].

Thirty-nine patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were treated with weekly alternating non-cross-resistant chemotherapy (CAMBO-VIP). We obtained a high response rate, and prolonged disease-free survival with side effects and complications of various severity were observed. Three patients were withdrawn from the study due to aggravation of liver cirrhosis, cerebral infarction, and poor tolerance. Thirty-six patients completed this 12-week intensive chemotherapy. The median treatment delay in all patients was 3 days (-4 to 29 days), and a delay of over 15 days was seen in 5 patients. The nadir of the neutrophil count was 0 to 2,100/microliters (median 140/microliters), and 15 patients were below 100/microliters. Two patients had pneumonia and 4 had herpes zoster infection. The platelet count nadir was 20,000 to 240,000/microliters (median 90,000/microliters). Ten patients were below 50,000/microliters, but none required platelet transfusion. Red cell transfusion was given in 6 patients. Elevation of transaminases was seen in 25 patients, but it was not serious except for a patient with liver cirrhosis. The elevation of serum LDH level and decrease of serum haptoglobin level seen shortly after completion of treatment seemed due to the increased blood cell destruction. Stomatitis was observed in 32 patients, 17 of whom showed more than grade 3 toxicity. Blister formation on palms and/or soles was noted in 6 patients. There was no treatment-related death observed.