OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic efficiency and adverse effect of the fludarabine-containing regimens in the treatment of low grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

METHODSThirty-two patients with low grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma consisting of 19 primary one and 13 relapsed or refractory were treated with fludarabine-containing regimens, which included FMD (fludarabine, mitoxantrone and dexamethasone); FMC (fludarabine, cyclophosphamide and mitoxantrone) and FC ( fludarabine and cyclophosphamide).

RESULTSThe average course completed in these 32 patients was 4.1 with a complete response rate (CR), partial response rate (PR) and overall response rate (OR) of 65.6%, 18.8% and 84.4% , respectively. There were no significant difference in CR, PR and OR between primary and relapsed or refractory group (71.4%, 21.0%, 92.4% vs. 46.2%, 13.1%, 59.3%, respectively). Myelotoxicity and immunotoxicity was the dominating adverse effects. Ill to IV grade granulocytopenia and thrombocytopenia were observed in 31.3% (10/32) and 9.4% (3/32) of these patients respectively. Infection developed in 7 patients, and two of them died of pulmonary infection. The median follow-up period was 16 months (1-30 months) with 2-year overall-survival rate (OS) and progression-free survival rate (PFS) of 93.8% and 84.4%, respectively. No significant difference was observed between primary and relapsed or refractory group in OS (100% vs. 76.9%) and PFS (94.7% vs. 69.2%).

CONCLUSIONFludarabine-containing regimens is well tolerated and effective in the treatment of low grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.