Salvage chemotherapy for non Hodgkin's lymphoma of unfavourable histology with a combination of CCNU and vinblastine

Twenty patients with relapsed or refractory, intermediate or high grade non Hodgkin's lymphoma were treated with a combination of CCNU and vinblastine. Complete responses occurred in four patients (20 per cent), partial responses in eight (40 per cent), for an overall response rate of 60 per cent. The regimen was more effective in patients with high grade lymphoma, absence of constitutional symptoms, better response to prior treatment. Duration of response was 4, 8, 16, 30 months for complete responders; 2, 2, 6, 6, 6, 8, 9, 14 months for partial responders. This combination regimen seems at least as effective as most of other regimens utilized in salvage treatment of non Hodgkin's lymphomas, with a very acceptable toxicity.