| Abstract: | Numerous salvage protocols for relapsed or refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas have been described. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and the toxicity of the ASHAP protocol, which combines a continuous infusion of doxorubicin and cisplatin with high-dose cytarabine and methylprednisolone. Twenty-four patients with relapsed or refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas were treated with a median of 3 cycles (range: 1–5) of ASHAP. Twelve patients achieved a complete and four a partial remission for an overall response rate of 67%. The 3-year overall and progression-free survival rates were 60% and 40%, respectively. Ten of the responding patients were consolidated by high-dose chemotherapy. After a median follow-up of 15.5 months, four patients are in continuous complete remission, while six patients suffered relapses (two fatal). For reasons of low risk profile [international prognostic index (IPI) score of 0, n=2] or age >60 years (n=4), consolidation was limited to involved-field radiotherapy in six patients. All of these patients are alive after a median follow-up of 37 months, with two relapses. Factors predicting a poor response to salvage therapy were primary refractory disease, elevated lactate dehydrogenase activity, and an IPI score of  2. The principal toxicity was myelosuppression with grade III or IV neutropenia or thrombocytopenia occurring in 88% or 75%, respectively, of the patients. Nonhematological toxicity was generally mild. There were no treatment-related deaths. The ASHAP regimen is a highly active and well-tolerated salvage protocol for patients with relapsed aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas which compares favorably with other established protocols. |
