Abstract
Since indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas(NHL) represent about 35% of all malignant lymphomas and mainly affect elderly patients, availability of a conventional chemotherapy regimen with high efficacy and low toxicity is of clinical importance. Patients and Methods:We retrospectively analysed 13 patients with advanced indolent NHL who were treated with 6-9 cycles of MCP: mitoxantrone 8 mg/m2 (days 1 and 2), chlorambucil 3 × 3 mg/m2 (days 1-5) and prednisone 25 mg (days 1-5)every 4 weeks. Results: The overall response was 84%(61% complete response, 23% partial response), 1 patient had stable disease and 1 patient experienced progressive disease. Median time to progression was 37 months(95% CI: 20-53) and the median survival has not yet been reached. The main toxicity (66%) was neutropenia (WHO grade III). There was no hair loss and no cardial or neurologic adverse event. Conclusion: In summary, MCP is an effective and well tolerated chemotherapy regimen and is probably an alternative to the more toxic CHOP regimen, especially in older patients.