A Dose and Time Response Analysis of the Treatment of Hodgkin's Disease with MOPP Chemotherapy

A dose-response analysis of the results of MOPP chemotherapy in 132 patients with Hodgkin's disease was carried out. Complex statistical methods were utilized including 40 different dose-time variables and multivariate logistic analyses of 21 clinical variables, both simply and in stepwise regression. These covariates were not independent, and in stepwise regression analysis only B-symptoms and the mean three-cycle rate of drug delivery significantly influenced complete remission attainment. Two parameters, bone marrow involvement (negative) and lung involvement (positive), significantly influenced the duration of complete remission. Survival was influenced adversely by pleural involvement (effusion), advanced age, and B-symptoms. Analyses indicate that the dose of all three drugs (mustard, vincristine, and procarbazine), and the rate of drug delivery during the first three cycles are important in achieving maximal complete response rates, especially for patients with B-symptoms.