BEACOPP

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BEACOPP is a chemotherapy regimen for treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma in Stages > II. Patients typically receive treatment in cycles of 21 days with no drugs given on days 16-21. There also exists a more intensive regimen with cycles of 14 days. Usually a therapy consists of eight, sometimes six cycles. In some countries BEACOPP still is experimental, in others (eg. Germany and Austria) it is a standard therapy. The reason that the United States physicians still use ABVD (or Stanford V) is that they think that BEACOPP induces more secondary neoplasias as leukemias, etc. However, this (after 10 years of experience) is not the case (it is actually the cost factor as Insurance companies want the cheapest option). BEACOPP delivers approximately 10-15% more cures in advanced Hodgkins disease (IIB+risk factors or stages III and IV). BEACOPP is more expensive as it requires G-CSF support. However, it is well worth it because of the higher cure rates.

It has side affects such as scarring of the lungs put unlike ABVD it is better for people with nerve conditions which Hodgkins can cause (neuropathy).

m² = body surface

i.v.=intravenous

BEACOPP basic:

(C)yclophosphamide	650 mg/m²	(i.v.)	day 1
(A)driamycin	25 mg/m²	i.v.	day 1
(E)toposide	100 mg/m²	i.v.	day 1-3
Vincristin(=(O)ncovin)	1,4 mg/m² (max 2 mg)	i.v.	day 8
(B)leomycin	10 mg/m²	i.v.	day 8
(P)rocarbazine	100 mg/m²	orally	day 1-7
(P)rednisone	40 mg/m²	orally	day 1-14

BEACOPP escalated:

Cyclophosphamide	1250 mg/m² KO/day	i.v.	day 1
Adriamycin	35 mg/m²	i.v.	day 1
Etoposide	200 mg/m²	i.v.	day 1-3
Vincristine	1,4 mg/m² (max 2 mg)	i.v.	day 8
Bleomycin	10 mg/m²	i.v.	day 8
Procarbazine	100 mg/m²	orally	day 1-7
Prednisone	40 mg/m²	orally	day 1-14