[Clinical randomized comparative trial of ProMACE-CytaBOM regimen and CHOP regimen in treating non-Hodgkin's lymphoma].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: CHOP regimen is the routine modality for moderately or highly malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Previous reports show that ProMACE-CytaBOM regimen could elevate complete response rate and survival rate of patients with moderately or highly malignant NHL. This study was to compare efficacies and safeties of ProMACE-CytaBOM and CHOP regimens in treating this disease, to indicate the standard treatment for it.

METHODS: A total of 146 patients with moderately or highly malignant NHL, verified by pathology or histology, were randomized into trial group (73 patients treated with ProMACE-CytaBOM regimen) and control group (73 patients treated with CHOP regimen). Survival rate was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method. Chi-square test was performed between groups.

RESULTS: The complete response rate, partial response rate, and response rate was significantly higher in ProMACE-CytaBOM group than in CHOP group (39.7% vs. 31.5%, 38.4% vs. 28.8%, and 78.1% vs. 60.3%, respectively, P < 0.05). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were significantly higher in ProMACE-CytaBOM group than in CHOP group (89.3% vs. 82.1%, 76.2% vs. 51.4%, and 45.7% vs. 32.3%, respectively, P < 0.05). The major side effects, appeared with no differences (P > 0.05) in incidences between 2 groups, were leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and nausea. Each group had 1 case of treatment-related death.

CONCLUSIONS: The results show higher efficacy of ProMACE-CytaBOM regimen over CHOP regimen. ProMACE-CytaBOM regimen may prolong survival time of patients with moderately or highly malignant NHL.