Purpose: To compare the efficacy of sequential mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (MOPP) followed by doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) versus the MOPP/ABV hybrid regimen in advanced-stage Hodgkin's disease.
Patients and methods: A total of 737 patients with previously untreated stages III2A, IIIB, IVA, or IVB Hodgkin's disease and patients in first relapse after radiotherapy were prospectively randomized to sequential MOPP-ABV or MOPP/ABV hybrid. Of 691 eligible patients, 344 received the sequential regimen and 347 received the hybrid.
Results: The overall response rate was 95%, with complete responses (CRs) in 79%: 83% on the MOPP/ABV hybrid and 75% on the sequential MOPP-ABVD arm (P = .02). With a median follow-up time of 7.3 years, the 8-year failure-free survival (FFS) rates were 64% for MOPP/ABV hybrid and 54% far sequential MOPP-ABVD (P = .01; 0.69 relative risk of failure, comparing MOPP/ABV hybrid v MOPP-ABVD). The 8-year overall survival rate was significantly better for the MOPP/ABV hybrid (79%) as compared with sequential MOPP-ABVD (71%) (P = .02; relative risk, 0.65). MOPP/ABV hybrid had significantly more life-threatening or fatal neutropenia and pulmonary toxicity than the sequential MOPP-ABVD arm, which was associated with significantly greater thrombocytopenia. Nine cases of acute myelogenous leukemia or myelodysplasia were reported on the sequential regimen as compared with only one on the hybrid (P = .01).
Conclusion: MOPP/ABV hybrid chemotherapy was significantly more effective than sequential MOPP-ABVD. FFS and overall survival were significantly improved on the hybrid arm, which was also associated with a lower incidence of acute leukemia or myelodysplasia.