This trial involved 457 patients and sought to assess the value of early intensification with autologous transplantation in patients with poor prognosis histologically aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) showing a response to initial CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone) chemotherapy. Randomization was made at the time of diagnosis with 223 assigned to continuing CHOP and 234 to 3 cycles of CHOP followed by a BEAM (carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan) autograft.
Analysis was on an intention to treat basis. After the initial three cycles of CHOP 19% of the whole group were in complete response (CR) and 53% in partial remission (PR).
At the end of treatment 86% of patients in the CHOP arm had responded with 58% in CR. In the high-dose therapy arm the overall response rate was 83% with 64% in CR (difference between arms not significant).