@article{PL Zinzani_M Magagnoli_M Bendandi_E Barbieri_A Galuppi_F Gherlinzoni_M Tani_P Albertini_V Stefoni_L Babini_S Tura_2000, place={Pavia, Italy}, title={Efficacy of the VBM regimen in the treatment of elderly patients with Hodgkin’s disease}, volume={85}, url={https://haematologica.org/article/view/1733}, DOI={10.3324/%x}, abstractNote={BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: No specific chemotherapy regimens have yet been recommended for elderly Hodgkin’s disease (HD) patients. We investigated the therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of the three-drug-combination VBM (vinblastine, bleomycin, and methotrexate) regimen in a group of 19 elderly HD patients. DESIGN AND METHODS: Vinblastine (6 mg/m(2) i.v.), bleomycin (10 mg/m(2) i.v.) and methotrexate (25 mg/m(2) i.v.) were administered on days 1 and 8. Chemotherapy was repeated every 28 days for a total of 6 cycles. Local radiotherapy was given only to patients who presented bulky disease at the time of diagnosis. Of the 19 patients, 13 patients had stage II, 2 stage III, and 4 stage IV disease; the median age was 68 years (range 60 to 75). RESULTS: Of the 19 patients, 15 (79%) achieved complete response (CR) and 3 (16%) partial response, while the remaining patient showed no benefit from the treatment. With a median follow-up of 48 months, the estimated 5-year relapse-free survival was 79%, and overall survival was 64%. Hematologic grade 3-4 toxicity was seen in only 1 (5%) patient; no severe non-hematologic side effects or deaths were associated with the administration of the VBM regimen. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data indicate that the VBM regimen provides a safe and effective therapeutic option for elderly patients with untreated HD.}, number={7}, journal={Haematologica}, author={PL Zinzani and M Magagnoli and M Bendandi and E Barbieri and A Galuppi and F Gherlinzoni and M Tani and P Albertini and V Stefoni and L Babini and S Tura}, year={2000}, month={Jul.}, pages={729-732} }