Abstract
In original CURRENT CONCEPTS IN CANCER series on Hodgkin's Disease inThe Journalin 1965, Gellhorn 2 suggested that the objectives of therapeutic management in advanced Hodgkin's disease are to suppress symptomatic manifestations, anticipate or control complications, and provide support to sufferers of a debilitating disease. At that time, four classes of drugs were available for treatment of patients with stage III and IV disease; namely, alkylating agents, particularly mechlorethamine hydrochloride (nitrogen mustard), vinblastine sulfate (Velban), procarbazine hydrochloride (Natulan [Great Britain]; Matulane, comparable US product), and prednisone (Deltasone). Furthermore, he suggested sequential use of single agents from each class, an JAMA, Jan 8, 1973 • Vol 223, No 2 ticipating no cross resistance. Single agents in patients with stage III or IV disease produce tumor regressions 50% to 70% of time, but only 10% to 20% of patients achieve complete remissions. 3 In these patients,
Published Version
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