Combination of etoposide, idarubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone and bleomycin (VICOP-B) in the treatment of advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Background: Response of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) to systemic chemotherapy is unsatisfactory: despite an initially high response rate (RR), duration is always short-lived.

Objective: To investigate the capability of a third-generation regimen including idarubicin in improving RR and response duration in CTCL patients.

Methods: Twenty-five patients with advanced CTCL (stages IIB and IV) were treated with a 12-week polychemotherapeutic regimen (VICOP-B), which foresees the use of idarubicin in association with etoposide, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone and bleomycin.

Results: The overall objective RR was 80% (36% complete response). The mycosis fungoides (MF) RR was 84%, with a median duration of 8.7 months. The pleomorphic-lymphoma RR was higher (100%), but the corresponding response duration was shorter (median: 3 months). No responses were documented in Sézary syndrome.

Conclusion: VICOP-B regimen is effective and feasible as first-line chemotherapy in advanced MF, with or without extracutaneous involvement.