[Comparison of CHEP and CHOP chemotherapy in the management of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma].

OBJECTIVE: Therapeutic effect and toxicity of CHEP and CHOP chemotherapy in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) were compared. METHODS: From October 1989 to June 1996, comparison of 52 NHL was carried out: CHEP (cyclophol-sphamide, adriamycin, etoposide, prednisone) group-26 patients and CHOP(cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, prednisone) group-26 patients. The responses and toxicities were compared by the chi 2 test. RESULTS: The CHEP group gave an overall response rate of 76.9%(20/26). In 10 untreated patients CR was observed in 7; The CHOP group gave an overall response rate of 65.4%(17/26). In 17 untreated patients CR was observed in 8(P > 0.05). Having been followed to the end of August, 1996, 16 patients in the CHEP group and 15 patients in the CHOP group were alive with respective median survivals 24(3-66) months and 20(2-48) months. Among the untreated patients, the 1-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates of those who gave CR were 70.0% and 23.5% (P < 0.05). 2-5 year DFS rats were 30%, 20%, 20%, 20%, and 11.8%, 5.9%, 5.9%, orespectively. The toxic reactions were tolerable in both groups. CONCLUSION: In untreated NHL patients as treated with CHEP chemotherapy, 1-year DFS rate was superior to that of CHOP regimen (P < 0.05). Side toxicities were comparable in both groups, but no peripheral neuritis was observed in the CHEP group.